DIY Observatory Build

[@Masoch1st]

must be freaking nice to have the land and resources to do this. incredible.

[@thelostexplorer2964]

Incredibly impressive build and the video tells the story well. Thank you for sharing.

[@privatear2001]

Nice job! Always wanted to build one since I saw plans for one in Sky and Telescope magazine back in the 90’s. Alas, that one didn’t have a dome but a sliding flat roof. It was still pretty impressive but nothing compared to your elaborate model. Hats off to you, my friend! Nice build! All the best!!! 😊

[@oliphauntsneverlie6227]

Nicely done! I have wanted an observatory for some time now any you may have just given me the needed inspiration to finally build it!

[@woody5109]

Excellent job young fellow, I’m very envious. Hope to see the finished insides.

[@NAFO_Badger_Brigade]

Awesome skills to build from scratch - Wow!!!! - I'm helping a local astronomy group assemble a pre-made kit but was interesting to see the stages of your project

[@frankskeen1310]

Nice job on your observatory. I have on I built in my yard using an old 10.5ft satellite dish. It works well except I have to put a tarp over it when it due to rain because I haven't figured out a window covering that opens and shuts. Once I get that done I can go on to the final step, motorized dome rotation so I can use the scope with WIFI from inside the home with the ASI AIR PLUS.

[@upnorthoffcuts929]

Beautiful job job my friend. Thank you for sharing. Hope to see some more with it in use. Any plans available? Keep up the great work. John.

[@RFDHunter]

Thanks John! The plans are based on The Sky at Night DIY Magazine and several KZbin videos and Google searches stitched together. Most of the plans were drawn on 'FreeCad' and were only for measurement purposes. I kinda made it up as I went along but very happy with the result.

[@starastronomer]

Beautiful observatory and expertly built.

[@arnoldsretrokeys189]

Really fantastic job, you are a pro.

[@RFDHunter]

Thank you very much!

[@davidaaaa4611]

He did a great job. It took a lot of skill to do that. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@andrewlabat9963]

What a fantastic job. Pride shines through..

[@davidjeup]

Well done! I am looking to add one to my house in Northern Michigan on an existing 25' tall Cupola built onto the side our my house. Any idea where I can find plans to customize to the structure? Thanks in advance.

[@melissasalasblair5273]

Thank you soooo much!! Such a dream reality to find yourself 🤩💭🔭🌟🌌

[@romeisfallingagain]

absolutely amazing. this is exactly what i need. bravo to you

[@bobmay5892]

Nice, I have been thinking about building a dome, but after seeing yours I'm on it. Thanks

[@RFDHunter]

Excellent! A lot of work but well worth it.

[@fernandogomez119]

Fantastic, great job. I am designing a 3 meters dome very similar to this. I have mock ups and made some tests but I did not start yet the construction. It will be great if you can answer some questions I still have. Specifically how you implemented the mechanism for the sliding door.

[@ldsnurse9268]

You have some mad skills there! Amazing job!

[@RFDHunter]

Thanks 😊

[@dantyler6907]

Best personal observatory: simple rectangle shack. Does not generate attention. A round, small personal obseevatory SCREAMS to be broken into.

[@nosidamXlynax]

i'd love to see some footage taken while utilizing the observatory. ^_^

[@stamelhombre]

Amazing work, well done

[@turbo80lxcoupe]

Very awesome build

[@equisequis.55]

great job. you should make those for people who want one.

[@woody5109]

Brilliant job, excellent.

[@ManishFrenchStudio]

Lovely video 💖

[@mysterx4931]

Very nice and very good job. Congratulations ! Could you tell us what is the total budget (wood …) to build it ?

[@RFDHunter]

Thanks! The wood cost about €1500 but the total cost including concrete, resin and fibreglass was about €3300.

[@mysterx4931]

@@RFDHunter ok thanks for your answer 👍

[@robthegreat3216]

This is really nice and inspiring 😊

[@cbx8enthusiasts]

What is that soft brown sheet that sticks to the surface of the dome?

[@RFDHunter]

Hardboard we call it. It’s like compressed cardboard.

[@nueschi]

Brilliant! 🔥🔭👍🏻

[@DamienBoath]

Nicely done. How do you have it track with your mount? If you are imaging and the scope is following a target, your dome needs to follow too yes?

[@RFDHunter]

Thanks Damien😊 I’m turning the dome manually to follow the scope for now. Was looking at different systems to automatically track the scope but are complicated. The dome needs to be moved every 15-20mins so it’s not a big deal.

[@DamienBoath]

@@RFDHunter I'm looking to build something similar in my backyard. I think i can do the automation using some toothed track and an old wiper blade motor from a bus. Or a cheap ebay low RPM, high torque motor.

[@That_Bender]

Well done!

[@oupwo7468]

I want to build an observatory in the future and this video is just great. By the way, do you have a system that can allow the dome to rotate along with the telescope when tracking a specific target?

[@chazwozza67]

Really nice good job

[@SeanDWalker4]

Looks like you've been up and running for a couple months now. How is the observatory working for you?

[@RFDHunter]

Really good! Worth all the work and cost.

[@SeanDWalker4]

@@RFDHunter Awesome to hear. Would love to see an update video showing all the systems working if you can.

[@terryholland9155]

Would you share your plans, roughly how much was involved in a project like this?

[@antn8387]

I love it.

[@amp2amp800]

Fantastic work, well done! You can be justly proud. Please add a balustrade so that nobody falls down the stairwell in the dark. 🤕

[@eneaferriani]

Well Done!

[@aloshk4]

شكرا لك راح اسويها في سعودية😂 Thank you. I am happy. I will settle it in Saudi Arabia

[@Radja-m8p]

Super🎉👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍🎇

[@wayneteachey2714]

You don't need the music! To me, it's distracting.

[@wayneteachey2714]

Because I'm a grumpy OLD man.

[@tvtvvtvt8017]

This'd be hilarious if, after all the work, you looked through the telescope for 5 minutes then decided you were getting into stock car racing instead haha