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OBSERVATORY PLANS - Eric Schandall
A moderate sized SCT can be housed in a small permanent site quite
easily. Here are the problems and their solutions as I have worked
them out for my circumstances, the telescope is a Meade 12".
Problems
 | eliminate moving each time scope is used
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| eliminate wasted time for set up, cooling down and dismantling
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| permanent mounting and polar alignment, permanent electrical
service
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| level and dry area to stand, use adjustable chair, usee charts
etc.
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| ability to vary the amount the roof opens to block glare
of moon and neighborhood lights
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| a sturdy, light and removable roof manageable by one person
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| walls high enough for windbreaking, high enough to allow
headroom when roof is closed, low enough to avoid necessity of
ladders for viewing objects near horizon
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| removal of roof does not increase footprint of building
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| doesnt attract attention in a suburban neighbohood
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| easy and inexpensive to construct
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| a place for my cat Lucas and 3-4 guests to observe in comfort
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Solutions
| An 8' long 8" dia. gal. steel pipe set in concrete,
a 1" steel plate welded squarely to mount scope- all found
as salvage.
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| Permanently housed and polar aligned in a 8' square building
sheathed in 1/2" plywood 2'x4" and 2"x6"
framing.
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| Top plate height- 64", pier height above floor -39",
height to centre of primary with scope horizontal -66.5",height
to ridge -88".
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| Steel corrugated, enameled roofing on thin steel channel
frame. Each side is 5'x10' and independantly positioned, roof
cap attached to one side. The roof sections are hinged by an
arm mounted on the outside of each gable end on either side of
the two sections. One end is attached to the roof frame near
the ridge, the other at the top plate. Unlocking the two sides
and pulling on the bottom of one side of the roof while standing
outside allows it to lift up at the ridge initially because of
the starting angle of the arm in it's rotation. Continuing will
allow roof finally to hang vertiaclly at the side of the building
or be held at a higher point by supprting arms at desired height.
Counter balance can be added easily, to offset weight of about
80 lbs. per section.
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| Electrical power supplied underground to two GFI controlled
recepticals and circuits through a conduit on pier- red and normal
lighting. Dedicated circuit.
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| Looks like a garden shed.
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| Cost approximately $850 Canadian ,design and construction
about 50 hrs, singlehanded except in fabricating roof.
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| Lucas and my friends have a place to take in the sights in
comfort.
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Conceptual drawings are available in the zip file below.
obsvplan.zip
There have been no problems at all in the first six months
of use. This is a very brief overview to simply convey the concept
of the design. The drawings should clarify this description somewhat.
I may be reached at, eschandall@rcn.com
for more detailed information. Thanks and Good Luck.
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