My first thoughts on reading setting up a small observatory gave me the impression that it would be better not to bother, as virtually all observatories have some problem or other, be it the cost of and access to a dome or the collecting of moisture in roll off roof and shed designs. A complete guide for design and construction, second edition paperback. I have the opportunity to move to a home with a third floor below a flat roof with no current access to the roof. We are uniquely qualified in this highly specialized field with projects that include a diverse mix of services for residential, educational. Everything else about the design and layout is from 2 years of personal planning prior to my retirement. I also, used the basic roof roller system design from sky shed. Sara wager observatory build sara wager astrophotography. New shed roof this new shed roof design was upload on october, 15 2019 by cleveland koch. Almost every practical astronomer eventually aspires to have a fixed, permanent observatory for his or her telescope. These are generally the cheapest type of observatory on the market. Sep 10, 2012 ive been planning building an observatory for, ooh, probably a few decades now.
Here latest new shed roof design shed roof design shed design plans shed plans flat roof shed pole barn plans astronomical observatory simple shed stucco homes remodeling mobile homes. Construction of our new rolloffroof observatory kc9qq. This gave it more of a post and beam look which i liked in other similar designs i have seen. We are the uks leading specialist in the construction and installation of rolling roof observatories for enthusiastic astronomers. To be able to add a warm room later makes huge sense but there are more benefits to this observatory design than just price flexibility. Badgers slide off roof diy observatories stargazers lounge. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading building a rolloff roof or dome observatory. A rolloff roof or dome observatory is the answer for the most popular home observatory design. Hi, i am trying to find some uk stockists of rolloff roof observatories including fitting of a pier mount. Roof changes june 2005 the rolloff roof was originally constructed with sets of wheels along each side of the roof. Rely on our expertise to ensure that your installation is a success. A rolloff roof or dome observatory is the simplest and by far the most popular observatory design for todays practical astronomers. Started work on it in april 2015 by building the four walls.
Building a rolloff roof observatory request pdf researchgate. A pier destined for my main observatory was temporarily mounted in my backyard, and a small rolloffroof shelter for it seemed like an easy project one that would quell my growing desire to get started actually building something. A complete guide for design and construction the patrick moore practical astronomy series kindle edition by hicks, john stephen. The roll off observatory is usually rectangular, and the roof is most often a single gable design. Building a rolloff roof observatory cern document server. Construction of a roll off roof observatory atm pages of. The skyroof system is a hardware based pc control designed for rolloff roof observatories. Sep 26, 2016 author john stephen hicks has updated his seminal book building a roll off roof or dome observatory.
This is a short video of the rolloffroof in action. My observatory is located on a flat roof of some outbuildings. A rolloff roof observatory is the simplest and by far the most popular observatory design for todayas practical astronomers. The slideoff or rolloff observatory is a different way to remove the roof so you can view the. Caster and track system for rolloffroof observatories. Building a backyard observatory cumberland astronomy club. The rolloff roof allows rapid climatic adjustment, but less. I finally stumbled onto a web page about don dillengers rolloff roof observatory, which was almost exactly what i was looking for. Our observatory at john bryan state park sports a 15 foot dome as well as a rolloff roof observatory, a variety of telescopes and a secure building located in a fencedin compound providing significant security. We chose a design from back yard observatories, byo. A complete guide for design and construction the patrick moore practical astronomy series downloa.
Integrated roller and track system the track assembly consists of a bent steel plated with inverted angle iron welded to the steel plate. The tops of two walls have rails or tracks that extend out past one end of the observatory, while the roof has rollers on the underside of its edges. The system consists of a microprocessor controlled relay board, desktop software and an ascom compliant driver. However, the footprint of this type of observatory when the roof is pushed back can almost end up double the closed footprint. Memberonly site features active members have access to private has website features. Request pdf on jan 1, 2009, john hicks and others published building a roll off roof observatory find, read and cite all the research you need on. Building a roll off or dome observatory will help you decide whether to embark on the venture and will certainly increase your enthusiasm for the project.
Pdf building a roll off roof or dome observatory download. Building a rolloff roof or dome observatory springerlink. Designed 100% with 3d software, our domes meet the highest quality standard for fit and finish between components. Use skyshed plans as a complete resource or as a jumping off point for your own ideas. The miami valley astronomical where they also assist with. To open the roof, the user unhooks latches that hold the roof against wind, and rolls the roof along the tracks to the side of the building. Here is the left side wall that the roof closes up to. Rolloff roof size 8 9 8 9 4 m for housing the telescope was coming relatively big as compared to conventional ones usually found at other places due to large building size on which rolloff.
Rolloff roof rolloff roof observatory design we create custom plans for rolloff observatories and sell automated roof tracking systems. Mas observatory manual milwaukee astronomical society. Thermalcoat, latex acrylic paint that rendered the observatory much cooler during the day time. Theres no better way to see the stars than with a home observatory. I originally built a roll off building because i liked the idea of having the entire sky visible to the unaided eye. Hicks discusses each aspect of backyard observatory design and construction to help you decide which type suits your needs best. For our client, this was an ideal point of flexibility. Building a rolloff roof or dome observatory a complete. Settled on a roll off roof observatory, and after doing research, ordered plans for a skyshed ror.
Roof roll off tracks are available from your local overhead door wholesaler retailer, or from us see kits page. Although you can modify your own shed you can pick up customised sheds 7x7 for around. Very nice looking roll off roof design, i like the look of it. Skyroof will interface with most roof control motor systems and is specifically designed to connect to the mvo motor control system. I decided to call it moonglow observatory because i live on moonglow drive. Owl observatory is a 12 x 12 building with a roll off roof which exposes the inside to the night sky. The key to a successful installation that provides years of enjoyment and reliable operation is an expert integration of your observatory, telescope equipment, and location. The next step in the construction of our rolloffroof was the construction of the building. A complete guide for design and construction, second. Jeff beish during a trip to flagstaff, arizona in the early 1980s this author and a friend visited wellknown variable star observer bob fried and was delighted with a tour of his backyard observatory.
I also increased the height of my 8 x8 rolloffroof observatory on our back patio to accommodate the larger telescope. Our company has continually evolved its product lines to offer more options to better suit the diverse needs of our customers. My first observatory, built north of anchorage, ak, was a self designed and constructed roll. Observatory platform wood construction dome diameter. Adding a rooftop observatory observatories cloudy nights. For the new observatory i somewhat reluctantly chose a dome design. Telescope piers, dome observatories, roll off roof.
Building a roll off roof observatory is unique, covering all aspects of designing a roll off roof observatory. I also want to leave the pod with my myt to use for multiple smaller scopes and build a permanent. Roll off roof observatories have several advantages over domed observatories. I no longer have to debate whether i should take the time to set up, only to be disappointed and have to spend the time breaking down my equipment due to the weather going sour. Observatory plan 8 x room with rolloff roof my design was developed from the many ideas that i found on the amateur observatories website. The roll off observatory is usually rectangular, and the roof is most often a single gable design, i. Adding a rooftop observatory posted in observatories. The benefits of having a roll off roof observatory are numerous. Building a rolloff or dome observatory will help you decide whether to embark on the venture and will certainly increase your enthusiasm for the project. Club observatory complete a halfday training program, and be eligible to use the clubs rolloff roof observatory building and 12. Request pdf on jan 1, 2009, john hicks and others published building a rolloff roof observatory find, read and cite all the research you need on.
I have worked with both roll off buildings and with domes for some years. Roll off observatories observatory solutions see more. Building a rolloff roof observatory will help you decide whether to embark on the venture and will certainly provoke your enthusiasm for the project. It might be of interest to people because of its somewhat unconventional roof design. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. Pdf doc about 44 pages, and youll find a wealth of info. Author john stephen hicks has updated his seminal book building a rolloff roof or dome observatory. Still needs some final trim and stain, but mostly complete.
Observatory solutions is a consulting firm located in southwest colorado that develops customized solutions for astronomical observatories that integrate site design, style and equipment configuration. Building a rolloff roof observatory a complete guide for design. Building a rolloff roof observatory book first light optics. Building a rolloff roof observatory ebok john stephen. For much of the last few years ive been following roll off build threads with great relish, thinking that this would be the approach i would adopt. After the telescope, the major design choice to be made was rolloff roof vs. It is located on top of a hill with unobstructed few to all sides and has still fairly dark sky. A rolloff roof observatory is the simplest and by far the. See more ideas about observatory, telescopes, amateur astronomy. The aluminum ro of panels were replaced with wood and tar paper then painted with. Building joints are linear, so that simple rollers and straight structural components will serve. With roll off roofs generally the roof rolls back on to two vertical support pillars. But, it is not big enough for the planewave cdk14 i just got. Building a roll off roof or dome observatory pdf epub.
Room on the roof download ebook pdf, epub, tuebl, mobi. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Phase 2 building the observatory i decided to make this observatory a little different from other roll off roof observatories. The people that built the observatory are very good in what they do but had no idea of how to build a roll off roof. System requirements are pc pii266 mhz with 32 megs of ram, win 98 or above. Picked the 10 foot by 10 foot one, based on my ability to haul the supplies, and most likely i would be building it by myself. Building a rolloff roof observatory a complete guide for. Building a rolloff roof or dome observatory 2nd edition. Without a roof the walls lose a great deal of strength.
We promote education by bringing astronomy to the public through regular. Top of column flush wdeck 24 inches 26 inches 16 feet t center column concrete wrebar 24 diameter 4 feet below g. Roll off roof size 8 9 8 9 4 m for housing the telescope was coming relatively big as compared to conventional ones usually found at other places due to large building size on which roll off. My first design for a real customer was a request from don trombino in deltona, florida, who asked me to design a rolloff roof observatory for solar astronomy. This is the first time that i have seen a design where the roof rolls back over the warm room. Owl observatory is a 12 x 12 building with a rolloff roof which exposes the inside to the night sky. Rolloff roof astronomical observatories outsideology. Scott, i had to write you and say thanks for all of your help and advice in getting my observatory project built.
Only managed to find one supplier so far alexanders and would prefer to have a comparison and possibly a company further up tnorth to save on courier costs. The home farm observatories story started in 2010, when neil then the owner of a telescope shop was approached by a customer in edinburgh to recommend a goodquality, rolloffroof observatory for the new equipment he was to purchase. A complete guide for design and construction almost every practical astronomer eventually aspires to have a fixed, permanent observatory for his or her telescope. As i explained, because of physical problems i had to hire a company to do the building for me. Backyard observatories has been building rolloff roof observatories for amateur astronomers, clubs, schools, and government facilities since the spring of 2003. Products include interlocking roller systems and roof motorization and automation. Rolloff roof observatories have several advantages over domed observatories. Our observatories are made to create the perfect astronomical experience, blending quality, security and comfort together to make every starry night unforgettable.
The author, both an amateur astronomer and a professional landscape architect, answers many of. The telestation elite series roll off roof observatory is a combination roll off roof observing area along with a warm room area. A rolloff roof observatory is the simplest and by far the most popular observatory design for todays practical astronomers. I have always admired rolloff roof designs, primarily because of the allsky view and the feeling of open space. Building my merrygoround observatory gerry dycks merry go round observatory see more. Our roll off roof designs are individualized for each installation. A roll off roof observatory is the simplest and by far the most popular observatory design for todays practical astronomers.
A complete guide for design and construction the patrick moore practical astronomy series at. Save up to 80% by choosing the etextbook option for isbn. Building a rolloff roof observatory is unique, covering all aspects of designing a rolloff roof observatory. We cater for all pockets with our prices, you can select anything from our basic rolling roof observatory to a deluxe version with as many extras as you require. Building a small imaging observatory roof roof chassis and. These ran along rails mounted on the top of each sidewall of the observatory and allowed the roof to be rolledoffon. I originally built a rolloff building because i liked the idea of having the entire sky visible to the unaided eye. Building a roll off roof or dome observatory a complete guide for design and construction 2nd edition by john stephen hicks and publisher springer. A roll off roof or dome observatory is the answer for the most popular home observatory design. The framing is 4x4, 2ft oc instead of the more typical 2x4, 16in oc. Caster and track system for rolloffroof observatories by. It is surrounded by concrete and slabbed terraces i was concerned about many things when this was in the planning stage.
Rolloff roof observatory help with planning build posted in observatories. I searched the forums for this but didnt find what i was looking for. Without this, the roll off roof would not have been square. Our designs are uniquely individualized for your installation. Instead of using a conventional heavy lumber frame, we put together trusses, using square aluminum tubing, held together by homemade aluminum gussets and pop rivets.
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