3/22/20101

Building a Backyard Observatory

John Jankauskas

3/22/20102

Why Build an Observatory

Able to spend more time observing

Set up time is minimized

No more lugging equipment around

Weather rolls in? – Easy close up

Some protection from light and wind

MORE OBSERVING TIME!!

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Planning

Choose site carefully

minimize light intrusion

maximize view of sky

Decide which type you want

Decide what size you need

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Types of Observatories

Pier with an easy removable cover

Domed observatory

Roll-off roof observatory

Numerous types and examples available

on the Internet and in books

obs.nineplanets.org/obs/obslist.html

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Pros & Cons

Pier w/Removable Cover

no light or wind protection

still must lug some things

cheapest

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Pros & Cons

Domed observatories

pretty expensive

hard to build in my opinion

limited view of sky

not good for Dobsonians

best protection from light and wind

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Pros & Cons

Roll-off Roof Observatories

not best protection from light & wind

large view of sky

relatively inexpensive

can be built to accommodate Dobsonians

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My Choice and Why

Roll-off Roof

ease of construction

relatively cheap

sets of plans readily available

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Construction Pictures

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Construction Pictures

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Construction Pictures

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Construction Pictures

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Construction Pictures

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Construction Pictures

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Construction Pictures

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Construction Pictures

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Construction Pictures

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My Observatory

3/22/201019

Recommendations onConstruction

Check and double and triple check level

and square.

If money is a consideration, use a

concrete pier. They work great.

My research showed many developed

binding problems. Backyard Observa-

tories plans were used for mine. No problems

encountered since built (Three years).