Building an Observatory Part 1

The main conclusion that I made after my first winter season doing astro photography is that I need to maximize the time the telescope is in use and I need to minimize the time I spend setting up and adjusting gear. This got me thinking about ways to keep my equipment outside all the time and how to automate starting up and shutting down sessions without having to go outside at 4am in the morning on a workday. The solution, my own roll off roof mini observatory that I can automate. Without having any experience whatsoever in this field and without making any real plans I plan on building this during the summer.
In this first part you will see the foundation as far as marking the space, getting some earth screws in the ground, digging out a hole for the pier and laying down protective pipe for the electricity and network cables. I will also start construction of the foundation for the floor and walls. The idea is that the mini observatory will be completely insulated and heated (at least to keep it above freezing).
If you would like to support me on my journey into photographing the stars and deep sky objects, you can donate using: www.buymeacoff...
My equipment
SkyWatcher HEQ5 Pro (belt mod and SKF bearings)
SkyWatcher EvoStar 80ED Pro (0,85x FF/FR)
SkyWatcher EvoGuide 50ED
ZWO ASI294MM Pro
ZWO ASI120MM Mini
ZWO EAF Automatic Focuser
ZWO EFW Electronic Filter Wheel, 7 position 36mm
ZWO LRGB broadband and SHO narrowband filters
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[@Im_an_Angryoldman]

Nice of that big rock to be right where you decided to place your pier.. I look forward to watching the rest of your build.

[@frosthastrophotography]

Thank you! Noticed that I didn't answer your comment. Hope you have followed the build!

[@CosmuzzAstro]

Awesome start to your observatory. Look forward to watching the other videos.

[@miguelmorales9667]

Nice Going. A great start to the best astro-photography upgrade that one could have.

[@frosthastrophotography]

Thank you so much!

[@ulfjonsson9137]

När jag skulle gräva ett sådant hål hyrde jag en jordborr på Cramo. Det tog mindre än en minut till önskat djup. Du gjorde ett snyggt jobb för hand 😃 För övrigt fuskade jag och byggde om ett befintligt skjul på 2x3 m. Lycka till i fortsättningen 😃 Ser fram emot kommande filmer 😉

[@frosthastrophotography]

Tackar! Man ska ju ha något att göra också :) Det blir en ganska låg byggnad för min del, inget som du kan vara inuti direkt.

[@user-dr8ug3gs3c]

I started dancing @ 2:46 lol

[@letszoomit365]

Härligt! Ser fram emot en hel serie av detta bygge :) Och självklart nyfiken på hur slutresultatet kommer att bli.

[@frosthastrophotography]

Tack så mycket! Det blir ett uppehåll nu för resa, men det kommer bli många avsnitt :)

[@letszoomit365]

@@frosthastrophotography Härligt!! Se till att ladda batterierna nu då :D

[@CM-2000]

Hallo fost, I am thrilled with your observatory Bau and it inspires me to build something similar. A clean and well thought-out job, respect. One question. You didn't make a concrete foundation but only put metal pillars in. Is that stable enough, or has something changed over time? I also think that aligning in scales and correct position for the top posts was quite tricky, right? Thanks for sharing, Helmet

[@frosthastrophotography]

Thank you! Yes, it is stable and has not moved. It was a bit tricky, but take your time and you will be ok :)

[@CM-2000]

@@frosthastrophotography Thanks a lot for your answer ;-)

[@frosthastrophotography]

@@CM-2000 No problem, you are welcome to contact me again if you have any questions.

[@CM-2000]

@@frosthastrophotography Hi Marten, thank you very much for your offer. At the moment I am still planning my roll-off home observatory. Many important aspects you mentioned are still being assessed. So also the choice of castors and rails, the roof construction and the foundation. I don't want so much concrete in my garden. So I'm still studying your videos. Many thanks for that ;-) Helmet

[@frosthastrophotography]

@@CM-2000 I can understand that, planning is good. If I could do something over with this version of observatory it would be the rails and castors. I would go with steel castors and steel rails even though it's much more expensive. It works fine, but it was hard work to tune it and wood expand during the year.

[@Luftbubblan]

Kul

[@frosthastrophotography]

Tack så mycket!

[@MrDtrow23]

Great video as I am looking to at least do a pier. What is the diameter of the pier? Thanks

[@frosthastrophotography]

Thank you so much! The pier diameter is 250 millimeter.

[@DragonsOfAra]

Nice to have easy-dig sandy soil; I'm envious. How deep will you make your pier?

[@frosthastrophotography]

Thank you! I'm planning on making the final depth at about 1 meter and insulate below and above the concrete.

[@frankguyton9596]

For what car are the brake rotor for?

[@frosthastrophotography]

I think this one was for Opel and Vauxhall. I used an onlie auto store and sorted by price and then checked center hole.

[@boaty1968]

Nice build how big is the yellow pipe yourvusing for conduit ? And are you going to run the pipe to the centre of your mount , I did less to snag .

[@frosthastrophotography]

Hello, thank you very much. The pipe is about 50 mm and it's going to go into one of the walls. The outlets for power and network is going to be sockets in the walls to keep it nice ann tidy. I have also thought about running some conduits to the center of the pier to avoid snagging.

[@boaty1968]

@@frosthastrophotography definitely run your wires to the pier , my pier is in the garden Alfresco so run is 10m from shed to pier I used 38mm pipe in hindsight I should have used 75mm gutter drain pipe bigger is better but I managed it 50mm should be fine though , I also put 15mm rebar rods into the pier foundation for more stability, I have heavy clay soil so should it ever get dry and shrink it should be ok .

[@marbasfpv4639]

Takk for interessant video. Sverige ja, hvilken bortle har du der borte? Hilsen fra Norge (bortle 4)

[@frosthastrophotography]

Thank you for watching! I live in bortle 4. Cheers!