My post got deleted for some reason, so here is a single frame of my roll off scope bay (8'x71/2') next to the warm room (4'x6').

Also, a picture of the observatory entrance and red and white lights, electrical outlet and cable port from warm room...

And finally, yours truly in front of the warm room door, behind what appears to be an 18" sct, but is really only 6"!    There is a marriage joke somewhere here, but I don't have time to find it...;)

Total cost: $ 1,433. 45, installed.

Nice setup cyberpatzer, I like it being just out the side door of the house.

Al

PS/ A man has a right to fantasize about the size but the partner will set he straight.

cyberpatzer:

  My post got deleted for some reason, so here is a single frame of my roll off scope bay (8'x71/2') next to the warm room (4'x6').

Cyberpatzer, the post wasn't deleted. It's still listed as being in the amateur observatories section, even though it doesn't show up there. I guess it got lost in the updated forum and didn't transfer for some reason. Here's the link to your original post however.

Kepler Deep Sky Observatory 

So right--

  That's why I built the observatory--to escape from reality!!!!

  O.k.- now i know.

  The paranoid side of me thought I was being blacklisted for past transgressions!!!

cyberpatzer:

  O.k.- now i know.

  The paranoid side of me thought I was being blacklisted for past transgressions!!!

Not this time

By the way, nice observatory. I'm still trying to get my wife to allow me to build mine. She says as soon as I can afford it, it's a done deal. Looks as if it will be a while longer. The good thing is, I've had plenty of planning time so when I finally get started, it should go up rather quickly.  

  Thanks Kevin.

  I really love it, and given where I live, it was really the only option if I wanted to preserve my night vision and do any astronomy.

   If I did it all over, I would make some changes (a lighter "roll" off, for one!) and could save $ 200-400 on it, without sacrificing functionality.    of course, I wanted a dome, but the cost would have doubled, and with the high horizon, the roll off is really the most practical.  For anyone in an urban area (i.e. lights and neighbors), I would recommend something like this.  It might be possible to build a rudimentary shelter for $500 or so with a roll-off and no frills lighting/electrical.  The increase in enjoyment from better views, keeping warm, and no wind is immeasurable.

  My wife wasn't hip to it either, but we had the space, and it is painted on the exterior, so it is no more an eyesore than these backyard sheds.  Besides, I think secretly she is sort of proud to have a husband who is an eccentric freak.   Go figure.