Building Bear Claw Observatory | Home Observatory

[@davidaylsworth8964]

Moral of the story … don’t mess with an astronomers gear. Thanks for the tour and overview Sir.

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Hahaha, thanks David! I won't let the bears stop me!

[@robgatehouse1651]

That is one nice well built roll off roof observatory Joe! I have just finished building my own 8x10 SkyShed from plans purchased several years ago and it took me a long time working alone steadily, but I did it. Your shed is as fine an example of any construction I have ever seen and you should be very proud, she's a beaut'. If I can offer you one tiny thing it would be to get jackstands on those outriggers soon as you can, maybe you already did. That is how you iron out all the rises and falls of frost heaves and wood warps that come - I built my own into the bottom of my 4x4s because I live on a steep hill which presented its own challenges to building. I envy you your wide open skies, excellent.

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Thanks so much Rob, yes I still plan on getting some made up. I’ll probably need them for sure by spring or before.

[@Babine125]

Thank you for sharing the info, Bravo Zulu on your observatory build

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Thanks for watching Benoit!

[@lukomatico]

Inspiring stuff Joe!! - I'm giving serious thought to building an observatory myself this year.. who knows haha! 😀 Clear skies my friend!

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Thanks Luke! You’d really love it man. Feel free to hit me up with any questions or ideas you have.

[@Astrobloke]

Awesome build Joe. I look forward to seeing it develop. Thats an amazing outlook you have, not sure I’d like the bears though.

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Thanks Astrobloke, I don't like the bears either, or the mountain lions, but it's still worth it hahaha

[@CaptRescue2]

Looks good Joe!!

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Thank you! It really transformed my hobby.

[@richardrandall2898]

Hi Joe. Great video. Now in construction of an 8x10 roll off roof shed. Just wandering what is stopping the wind from blowing off the roof? I have 60mph winds here in the UK being by the coast. Richard

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Thanks Richard, my roof weighs a lot, between the osb, shingles, 2x4s, 2x6s, and 2x10 rails, plus the casters and rack, I don’t think we can have a wind storm strong enough to lift it off with the roof closed. We get wind gusts as high a 70mph during blizzards ad it’s never moved. Before I added the rack and pinion motor, 50mph wind would close the roof, but never open it. It couldn’t hurt to add some turn buckles if you’re concerned though.

[@HeavenlyBackyardAstronomy]

Awesome Video Joe. I was wondering what other reason as to why you would build an observatory beside the astrophotography aspect, then you told the 'bear story'. That right there is a good reason. Are you going to put insulation between the studs and then dry-wall it? Seems like that would help with the temperature fluxuations.

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Thanks Pat, I'm thinking about the insulation, but drywall for sure. I also need to build a shelf/desk for a workstation and some shelving. I may just add some styrofoam inserts in the roof as well and not put drywall as the roof is already pretty heavy.

[@peterdavies2922]

Hi there - that roof looks really smooth and easy. Do you have any links to the rails and castors please?

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Thanks Peter, the roof is very easy to open and close but heavy enough to keep the wind from opening or closing it. I placed the links to the casters and v-track I used in video description for you.

[@ScottMcDonald67]

Great job Joe! Well done. Your observatory is very much like what I'm looking to do. I'm wondering if the 8x10 size is working out well for you or if you would've liked to go a little bigger say 10x10 or 10x12 in order to create a warm or control room? Can you still squeeze that in with your 8x10?

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Thanks Scott, so far I’m really liking the 8x10 size for what I’m doing. My warm room is in the house lol. I would definitely go bigger for a warm room. I still plan on adding a desk and workstation and some shelves. It doesn’t feel cramped by any means. If I planned on staying outside throughout the night though, I would have went larger and added a second pier for a visual setup as well, but my passion is with photography.

[@richardhendrick5835]

Richard - Belgium - Great job ! I was just wondering...while imaging, by a windy night, does it affect the stability of your mount ?

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Thanks for watching and commenting Richard! The walls are high enough to protect it for winds up to 20mph, and to be honest, I haven’t tested above that because if the winds gusting more than that it’s usually bad seeing in my area. Also, I’m worried about dust or dirt getting all over the equipment and observatory.