Hi All, I have been given the green light to have built an observatory to house the 12" Nishamura telescope that was donated to Northridge High School last year. I've spent about 8 hours on the Internet over the last 2 weeks looking at various plans that can be ordered or even printed for free. Does this illustrious group have any suggestions of preferences on the best one to build? I've read the pro's and con's of domes vs roll-off roofs, but the Davis School District building department doesn't build domes, and they're probably out of the budget anyway. I'm guessing I have probably somewhere in the neighborhood of $10k to spend on the facility, although donated materials and labor may help me extend that somewhat. I'm hoping to build something about 12' by 16' in size, but may have to settle for 10' by 12' depending on cost estimates. I'd be especially interested in hearing from those who have recent experience with the SLAS roll-off roof observatory. Thanks, in advance, for all your kind help. Wayne A. Sumner Math/Physics/Astronomy/Engineering Boy's Tennis Coach Northridge High School Davis School District (801) 402-8610
Congratulations on the observatory! My impression is roll-offs would have less to go wrong than a (rotating) dome, as you just push it out of the way. So I think that's a great idea. -- Joe
Go for the roll off, a dome limits the use to one scope, a roll off would allow more scopes and allow more students to observe the night sky. And Joe is right, less to go wrong aloha Rob
Wayne, A roll-off is the way to go, at SPOC we have a dome only because we didn't have any other use for it and it rolls-off. I have a roll-off in my backyard, I spent about $8,000, I splurged on some things, like aluminum shingles to reduce weigth. A number of club members have roll-off roofs. Look on our website http://www.slas.us in the member profiles look up Jerry Foote, Mike Gubler, and my self Erik Hansen. I chose high walls to block out local street lights. My advice is don't scrimp on cost for the wheels and track. I had all the steel I used galvinized and used wheels that are rated for much more weight than they are bearing. Bruce Grim would be a good person to talk to about motorizing the roof, he did the bulk of the work at SPOC along with Patrick as they lived close to sight. $10,000 should work for completing the building.
Good Luck, Erik Hansen Hi All,
I have been given the green light to have built an observatory to house the 12" Nishamura telescope that was donated to Northridge High School last year. I've spent about 8 hours on the Internet over the last 2 weeks looking at various plans that can be ordered or even printed for free. Does this illustrious group have any suggestions of preferences on the best one to build? I've read the pro's and con's of domes vs roll-off roofs, but the Davis School District building department doesn't build domes, and they're probably out of the budget anyway. I'm guessing I have probably somewhere in the neighborhood of $10k to spend on the facility, although donated materials and labor may help me extend that somewhat. I'm hoping to build something about 12' by 16' in size, but may have to settle for 10' by 12' depending on cost estimates. I'd be especially interested in hearing from those who have recent experience with the SLAS roll-off roof observatory. Thanks, in advance, for all your kind help.
Wayne A. Sumner Math/Physics/Astronomy/Engineering Boy's Tennis Coach Northridge High School Davis School District (801) 402-8610
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On 27 Jun 2007, at 17:24, Wayne Sumner wrote:
I've read the pro's and con's of domes vs roll-off roofs, but the Davis School District building department doesn't build domes...
Just as well. There's a reason the old dome at SPOC is now just for show (it was a pain in the neck).
I'd be especially interested in hearing from those who have recent experience with the SLAS roll-off roof observatory.
Use V groove wheels and angle iron tracks. I started out with "normal" wheels and tracks on my first roll off but after seeing the ones used at SPOC I switched. Here's a picture of one of the wheel trolleys on SPOC's Harmon's Observatory (same style were used on the Refractor House). http://www.slas.us/patrick2/slas/patrickw//PATRICKW186.JPG pw
Wayne, You might also contact Jerry Foote, see http://www.scopecraft.com. He has built two roll-off roof observatories. Clear Skies, Don -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+djcolton=piol.com@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+djcolton=piol.com@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Wayne Sumner Sent: Wednesday, June 27, 2007 5:24 PM To: utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Roll-off roof observatory Hi All, I have been given the green light to have built an observatory to house the 12" Nishamura telescope that was donated to Northridge High School last year. I've spent about 8 hours on the Internet over the last 2 weeks looking at various plans that can be ordered or even printed for free. Does this illustrious group have any suggestions of preferences on the best one to build? I've read the pro's and con's of domes vs roll-off roofs, but the Davis School District building department doesn't build domes, and they're probably out of the budget anyway. I'm guessing I have probably somewhere in the neighborhood of $10k to spend on the facility, although donated materials and labor may help me extend that somewhat. I'm hoping to build something about 12' by 16' in size, but may have to settle for 10' by 12' depending on cost estimates. I'd be especially interested in hearing from those who have recent experience with the SLAS roll-off roof observatory. Thanks, in advance, for all your kind help. Wayne A. Sumner Math/Physics/Astronomy/Engineering Boy's Tennis Coach Northridge High School Davis School District (801) 402-8610 _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com
participants (6)
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Don J. Colton -
erikhansen＠TheBlueZone.net -
Joe Bauman -
Patrick Wiggins -
Rob Ratkowski Photography -
Wayne Sumner