Dunfermline Astronomical Society

Like all astronomers there comes a time when we all would like our own observatory. Cost is often a major consideration and let's face it we just all don't have a couple of grand lying about to purchase a ready made one. My needs were quite simple, a building or shed to take my 12" Dobsonian and 5" Nexstar SE. Having looked at ready made sheds to adapt i decided on self build. So with the help of my good friend George we set about buying the materials. I used Sterling board for the walls and roof but this was only available in 8x4 foot sheets and the area to build my observatory allowed me only 6x6 feet so every sheet was cut by 2 feet to make 6x4 sheets and then 2 were split lengthways to make 6x2 sheets which added to the former gave dimensions of 6x6x6 square.

As my garden is south facing I decided on a roll on roll off roof but then settled for a hinged roof with a drop down flap at the front. This opens up a large portion of the sky for me. I had problems with how to open the roof easily but a club member Don advised me to use 6 foot lengths of steel bar bolted to the roof and counterweights to assist in opening the roof. See the following photo's and you will see what I mean.

The wife raising the roof. Due to the weight of the steel
bars very little effort is required to open the roof and indeed
counter weights were not needed.

The whole Southern sky is open to me.

My new Meade LX90 and Mintron Camera attached. Dew control unit
is attached to the fork arm and Dew band around OTA. I will post
a later image showing Crayford focuser and balances soon.

Just a wee update. The 12" Dobsonian has made way for an LX90 8" and I will
post a more recent photo as soon as. I now have electrics inside so at least I
don't have trailing wires to the house. I am upgrading the roof to have 3/4
of the roof opening and laying flat to the rear so that will open up even more of
sky to me. My good friend Graham has made some seriously heavy duty hinges
for me and I'm eternally grateful. So watch this space and when we have a good
sunny weekend hopefully we can finish the project.
Geoff