Roll Off Roof Observatory Construction

Without measured drawings of your observatory you might run into the problem of not providing the necessary clearance for the roll off roof.

Roll off roof observatory construction.

My design is probably quite unconventional and uses an off the shelf 12 x 8 shed as a starting point. We will construct a small guesthouse a main house and of course want to include a small observatory as well. Many have roll off roofs so the observatory masquerades in the backyard as an ordinary shed. Originally i only planned to put up a pier new shed but the good people here on sgl encouraged me to go for a full observatory.

Wheel diameter is 4 or 6 depending on the roof size. My original design called for the roof to roll off on angle iron placed in an l position where the wheels are protected on both sides by the angle iron. With high quality residential type construction they are virtually maintenance free for years to come. Track sections are 10 feet in length and come with pre drilled 3 8 holes for lag or through bolting to the observatory side walls and roof support system.

I got lucky on mine. Our backyard observatories are made to ensure years of reliability and enjoyment. Some are spartan and utilitarian and many are lavish with amenities and decorations. A roll off roof observatory is the simplest and by far the most popular observatory design for today s practical astronomers.

For building the roof frame i used a 2 x 6 for the main cross beam and used a 2 x 4 support to level and hold in place. Many are classic domes that scream observatory when you see them. It is located on top of a hill with unobstructed few to all sides and has still fairly dark sky. The roller assembly consists of a bent steel plate with a v groove roller assembly welded to the plate.

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. In 1997 we acquired 2 000 m of land close to la coruña in the northwest of spain where we live. Roll off roof observatories advantages almost full sky access home owners associations can be home made cost less than a dome disadvantages roof can be very heavy extra area needed for roof truss system high walls. Planning the site viewing requirements conforming to by laws and orientation of the structure.

A small roll off roof observatory. Pier astro shed eventually i settled on the idea of a roll over roof. I build the gables on the ground and then attached them to the secured roll off slider. See my original thread here.

Some are built on housetops and some are built on stilts to see above trees.