Its finished at last! I finally got the roof on after waiting for weeks for a good day. I wound up going out  when it was raining and about 35 degrees. Not the best weather for construction work ...lol. I couldn't wait any longer as we were supposed to have a snow storm that weekend, so I decided to brave the weather and get the roof on. Fun was had by all.

The roof  was made using pvc pipe for the frame and covered by sheets of corrugated pvc roofing. the two removable roof sections are about 6'wide and 12' long. The corrugated roof from the one side overlaps the other section so that there is no center seam for rain or snow to get through. The roof sections are slid out and back into a rail on the east and west side of  the observatory. I came up with the rail idea when I couldn't figure out a good way to keep the roof in place without using hinges or some other means of securing it, esp. when it gets windy  as it often does here. What I wound up doing was using 3 inch pvc pipe(thick wall) and cutting out 1/3rd of the pipe the length of the pipe. It looked like a "C". The 3" diameter pipe is large enough so that with the section removed, I can slide the edge pipe from the frame with the roofing attached right into it so that it makes a rail of sorts. This keeps the roof in place and no wind or rain can get under it at all, esp. since most of my wind comes from the West. The top and bottom of the roof is held in a channel made from the same pvc pipe  which was cut in half lengthwise and screwed down so that it looks like a "u" in which the frame pipe rests.( This may be difficult to visualize and its very difficult to explain.........you can see it clearly in the pics form the link I provided below). The roof is secured to the removable 2x6 beams using velcro straps. I am actually amazed at how well its working so far. After two wind storms with gusts over 70mph, the roof hasn't budged! After several days of  continuous pouring rain and  a couple of snow storms, I haven't gotten any water inside the observatory. Mind you, I used 6 tubes of silicone calk to seal all the seams in the roof as I went along.........I figured , you can never use too much of the stuff but you can certainly use to little.

There are some small things still to finish but I ran out of warm weather...lol. I would like to add some more elctrical outlets inside, as well as a couple light fixtures. A couple drop down work tables would also be nice of course, and I need to finish putting in sealing  around the drop wall and a couple ohter places. I have discovered also that while the roof is light enough to remove by 1 person, it is a bit awkward to move around and slide back in place just because the sections are so long Still, considering my original idea of using 2x6's for the roof frame , I would have to say this is a much lighter way to go...lol. I spent several hours going over different ideas for a workable, removable roof that wouldn't weigh so much that one person couldn't do it, with my brother-in-law  and his father when we came up with the idea for using pvc for the frame. I spent days  after that trying to come up with a way to attach said roof  when I hit upon the idea of the rail . So far its working great! I also want to set something up so that I can use the roof sections to block wind and the lights from the nearby houses when I  want to do astrophoto work.

You can check out my other forum posting here to read about the rest of the building if you would like  and below is a link to a slideshow I put together. There are links on the slideshow page in the upper right  to more pictures  than in the slide show also. On the whole it really seems to have turned out great, and there is more room insde than I expected. Now, all I need is some decent weather.

 

 

 

MIke S.

Ok, had trouble including the link:

http://s241.photobucket.com/albums/ff54/slick750/?action=view&current=5f702b3c.pbw

 Slick750,

Congratulations on the new observatory. I helped build a clamshell observatory this summer and it was quite an adventure. Difference was we did it while it was 103 deg out!

 http://www.hodgsonobservatory.org/?m=200708

You must be happier than a gopher in loose dirt!

JJ 

Hi Slick,

Congratulations  on getting it all finished up. I couldn't see the pictures you put up because of this disfunctional site, but I remember some from before this place changed. Once an observatory is in operation your use and enjoyment of astronomical equipment increases by many magnitudes!

Hello Slick,

I have been reading your progress and was wondering how it all came together. It looks really nice and should bring you years of pleasure. Thanks for sharing this build.

Ouch! Thats a bit warm for me I'd say JJ. At least you don't have to worry about snow caving in your roof.  Thats gotta count for something...lol.  Anyway, that obsevatory looks great, a very unique roof I'd say.  I like that site too.

 

Mike S.

 

HI Johnm,

Thanx for the comments John. I can't wait to get the chance to use it allright.  I've had it done nearly a month now and I still haven't had one clear night to try it out....ugh...this weather...

 

Mike S.

A lot of us are cursing the cloud gods. This has been one of the worst weather patterns we've had around here for years. Either sub zero temps or clouds, or wind! And at times, all three at the same time. It's been continuous since November. 

whoops I overlooked this thread! so ignore my comment on the last one looking for your completed observatory haha. I want to build my own good to see some ideas!! fantastic job. Well done.

 

Spink

Hello! We are members of the Lutz Observatory astronomy club. Here is some information you may want to review. The G.H. Lutz observatory is named in honor of George H. Lutz who was involved in the early stages of design of the Ritchey Chretien telescope system which is widely used today. We engage in Lunar and Planetary study.More about our observatory an it's activities may be found at our website: http://www.geocities.com/lutzobservatory/org.html Currently our observatory has plans for the building of our new facility in Mountain Gate, California which can be found at our website. For purchasing a telescope you may visit The Astronomy Yellow Pages on-line. A note about our resident astronomer Loron Knowlen: His background comes from his experience in astronomy for over 35 years. He was involved with the L.A.V.C. astronomy club as president. For a number of years was a sales associate with both L.A. Optical Company and California Telescope Company. In 1990 he was involved in the early stages of design and construction a 10" refracting telescope designed by John Pons.In 1991 he started his own refracting telescope company called Fraunhofer Systems Company along with writing for the astronomy publication Observatory Techniques. In 1999 became the managing director and resident astronomer for our observatory along with managing an on-line mall "Loron's Astronomy Mall" FAQ's GEORGE H. LUTZ (1.) What is the most famous thing that Lutz did? Along with professor Ritchey of Cal-Tech, Lutz was involved in the early stateges and developement of the Ritchey Chretien telescope system which is widely used in observatories today all over the world. The telescope maker Meade now sells a 20" RC telescope. (2.) Any other famous tihngs did he do? Lutz had an exhibit of his telescope systems at the 1939 Worlds Fair. (3.) Did he ever work in a famous observatory? Yes. Mt. Wilson an at the time of his death in 1957 he was working on the 40" mirror for the Mt. Palomar observatory near San Diego, California. (4.) What other work did Lutz do? He had worked for the Eddison telephone company along with being an inventor. (5.) Is George Lutz in any books? Yes he is discussed in the 1993 Osterbrook book entitled "Pauper & Prince along with the classic telescope making books Vol. 1-3 of 1940. (6.) Any relatives? Several relatives currently live in the Southern California area. (7.) Does his telescope making company still exhist? No which is why this observatory project is so important to us in honoring him. (8.) How is astronomer Loron Knowlen related to George Lutz? Loron is the step son of Lutz's niece along with being the trustee/operator of the observatory. The Lutz family is well aware of Loron's actvities Visit "Loron's Astronomy Mall" on-line. (9.) Is the George H. Lutz Observatory a profit making organization? No but there may be a science & astronomy cash award given to students at sometime in Lutz's name. (10.) Any plans for a bigger project or observatory? The Lutz family members will decide if there is ever to be any further projects in addition to the already exhisitng observatory. Maby in the future over the internet there will be an inter-active on-line observatory. One way or the other George Lutz will be known in the community of astronomers, you have our word on that. (11.) Loron Knowlen does have a idea for later being involved in the creation of an astronomy & science center that may incorporate a public library or become apart of a community center. (11.) How can one learn more about George H. Lutz? GEORGE H. LUTZ OBSERVATORY C/O 14007 Ventura Boulevard Sherman Oaks, California 91423 Telephone: 818-267-0735 (Calls Screened w/Voicemail) E-Mail: lutzobservatory@yahoo.com

Slick, what brand/model and wattage laser pointer is that in one of the photos? That looks nice!

Hi cfuehrer! It is a 5mW laser from Wicked Lasers. They had a deal on them last x-mas. I got four for 200.00. I originally was going to get a more powerful one from them but I had a friend that wanted one and I owed him.....I couldnt afford to spend over 200 for two lasers, but then I saw the deal  and I had to do it. One on my scope, one for  me to point out stuff, one to my friend, and one as a backup or for use on my second scope. They are plenty bright enuff and I've actually used them as a flashlight when I needed to see in my dark house...lol. (shine it at white ceiling and the whole room gets lit up Personally, any brighter and I would think it would be too much. No problem with them in warmer weather...I've kept them going for minutes at a time and had no drop off in light. Havent tried them in cold weather, but my previous green laser from Z-bolt would drop off quickly in the cold. (No prob with they're laser...i really liked it, but I broke it fiddling with it...I was NOT happy...but I certainly learned an expensive lesson) That one cost me around 100.00 for a "factory tuned"  5mW laser and I also noticed no drop off of the beam in warmer weather( above 50)when using it for extended periods

Btw, where in rochester are you?   I am out in Akron,NY myself...no close but not super far either

MikeS.

 

 

 Irondequoit near the bay. Very light polluted. Your observatory looks very cool.