Building a Roll-Off Roof or Dome Observatory

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xxi

   PDF

2. The Roll-Off Roof Observatory

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

      PDF

   2. The Benefits of a Permanent Observatory

      • John Stephen Hicks

      Pages 3-32

   3. Observatory Design Considerations

      • John Stephen Hicks

      Pages 33-45

   4. Options for Foundation Types and Laying Out the Observatory “Footprint”

      • John Stephen Hicks

      Pages 47-50

   5. Fabricating the Telescope Pier

      • John Stephen Hicks

      Pages 51-61

   6. Preparing the Footings and the Observatory Floor

      • John Stephen Hicks

      Pages 63-76

   7. Framing the Walls

      • John Stephen Hicks

      Pages 77-87

   8. Framing the Gantry Section

      • John Stephen Hicks

      Pages 89-91

   9. Fabricating the Track and Base Plate

      • John Stephen Hicks

      Pages 93-99

   10. Framing the Roof

       • John Stephen Hicks

       Pages 101-109

   11. Applying the Steel Roofing

       • John Stephen Hicks

       Pages 111-115

   12. Applying Exterior Siding and Interior Wall sheathing

       • John Stephen Hicks

       Pages 117-121

   13. Final Luxuries

       • John Stephen Hicks

       Pages 123-126

3. The Dome Observatory

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 127-127

      PDF

   2. Dome Design Materials and Construction Methods

      • John Stephen Hicks

      Pages 129-147

   3. Commercial Models and Kits

      • John Stephen Hicks

      Pages 149-164

   4. Plans and Construction Steps Toward Building a Dome Observatory

      • John Stephen Hicks

      Pages 165-224

4. Back Matter

   Pages 225-248

   PDF

Almost every practical astronomer eventually aspires to have a fixed, permanent observatory for his or her telescope. A roll-off roof or dome observatory is the answer for the most popular home observatory design. Building a Roll-Off or Dome Observatory will help you decide whether to embark on the venture and will certainly increase your enthusiasm for the project.

The author, both an amateur astronomer and a professional landscape architect, answers many of the common questions asked about observatory construction, covering the following topics:

• Zoning, and by-law requirements common to most states, towns and municipalities

• Where to locate the observatory

• How to tailor the observatory for your particular needs

• Tools and structural components required

• Possible variations in design

• How to combine the structure with other structures (incorporating a garden patio under the gantry in

the roll-off roof observatory, for example)

This fully detailed outlines step-by-step construction, with professional detailed diagrams for each phase of construction.

• Amateur Observatory Design
• DIY Astronomy Construction
• Domed Observatory
• Home Astronomy Projects
• Observatory Building Plans
• Observatory Design and Construction
• Observatory Site Requirements
• Professional Observatory
• Roll-off Roof Observatory
• Step-by-step Construction

• Keswick, Canada

  John Stephen Hicks

John Hicks is a Canadian citizen, Professor of Urban & Regional planning, and also a qualified professional landscape architect. Based in Ontario, Canada, he is the principal owner of John Hicks & Associates, Environmental Planners and Landscape Architects, Site Planning, Park Planning and Environmental Impact Assessment. He is also a long-time amateur astronomer and has had articles published in “Astronomy,” chapters in Dickinson and Dyer’s “The Backyard Astronomer’s Guide,” and has made contributions to various other astronomy books. John is well-known as a designer of observatories and telescopes and has been an active solar observer for 30 years. Prior to writing the first edition of “Building a Roll-Off Observatory,” he created and sold observatory plans for both roll-off and domed observatory structures at major star parties and to various clients globally.

Policies and ethics