33South Observatory - another new one gets underway
Yet another "new observatory build" thread. This has been at least a few years in the dreaming phase, 6 months or more in the planning phase, and will likely be a slowish project. But, it's taken off!
I think as with many things, you can ask 5 people for advice and get 10 different sets of ideas. My observatory will be basically what I want and can do. Essentially: timber structure, 2.4m x 2.4m floor area, with an isolated steel pier, and roll-off roof.
So far I've completed a floor with treated pine joists, elevated 5-10cm above ground level on gal steel stirrups concreted into the ground.
The footing for the pier is dug and I'm pouring the concrete today. The pier is steel, 219mm OD, 1200mm high and will be secured with 20mm threaded rods embedded about 400mm into the concrete.
A lot of the planning and decision making process has involved @sunnychoi a friend and colleague from work from about 30 years ago. We've shared the astro interest, and frustration of constantly setting up and packing down, and have both started our projects simultaneously. Our steel piers are twins, but I'll detail those separately.
Hey Sunny some time ago I too built an Observatory nearly a copy of what you are now doing, and loved the project, you will get great pride in your work and finished construction, hope all goes well for you and your friend.
