Backyard Observatories

1
Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association
Presents -
Backyard Observatories
With
George Barber Jerry and Kathy Farrar Steve
Ratts Keith Schlottman
Observatories November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization
Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences
2
Vedeler Observatory Catalina, AZ
(Used with permission of Chris Vedeler, Oct 2004)
Observatories November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization
Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences
3
In The Beginning

• 11/2/98 - 1/22/99
• Selected observatory
• location and dug hole
• for concrete deadman.
• 1/23/99
• Poured 1 cubic yard
• concrete deadman.

Observatories November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization
Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences
4

• 1/24/99 Setup 12" diameter pier mold poured
  concrete pier

Observatories November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization
Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences
5

• 1/30/99 Staked out the building location

Observatories November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization
Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences
6

• 2/6/99 Set footers, installed posts

• built structural skirting.

Observatories November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization
Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences
7

• 2/7/99
• Installed floor joists

• installed subflooring.

Observatories November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization
Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences
8
The Pier Plate

• 1/30/99
• detail shot of pier bolts

• 2/10/99 Drilled holes for steel pier coupling

Observatories November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization
Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences
9

• 2/13/99 Built the walls

Observatories November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization
Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences
10

• 2/14/99 Poured footers for roll off roof support
  structure.

• Built stairs to raised floor.
• Tested polar alignment with
• scope on pier.

Observatories November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization
Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences
11

• 2/15/99 Installed posts for the roll off roof
  support structure.
• Found the top of the walls to be out of
  square.Braced the North wall to bring back to
  square.

Observatories November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization
Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences
12

• 2/20/99
• Built roof tracks. Sanded and painted angle iron.

Observatories November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization
Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences
13

• 2/21/99
• Finished Roll Off Roof structure

• Angle Iron and Roof tracks

Observatories November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization
Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences
14

• 2/23/99 Painted pier coupling black.

• 2/24/99 Painted the Pier White

• 2/27/99 Installed Ridge Beams and Roof
  Rafters

Observatories November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization
Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences
15

• 2/28/99 Built gable ends

• Installed plywood roofing and siding.

Observatories November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization
Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences
16

• 3/6/99 Installed roof shingles

• 3/7/99 Started painting interior dark blue.
  Dug 75 of 100 foot trench for
  power.
• 3/8/99 Finished painting interior dark blue.
• 3/9/99 Roughed in electrical.
• 3/10/99 Finished trench and laid electrical and
  data cable.
• 3/12/99 Worked on electrical.

Observatories November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization
Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences
17

• 3/13/99
• Finished Electrical.
• Connected power from house to observatory.
• Installed door.
• Installed carpet.
• Installed cabinets and countertop.

• 3/14/99
• Painted exterior.
• Weather striping
• Installed telescope

Observatories November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization
Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences
18

• 3/20/99
• Installed garage door opener for roll off roof.
• Painted door.

Observatories November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization
Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences
19
The Endalmost

• Finished cabinet installation.

• 3/21/99 Finished painting exterior.

• Finished weather striping.

Observatories November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization
Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences
20
Post Construction Modifications

• 5/30/99
• Installed powered attic
• ventilation fan due to
• excessive heat buildup inside.

Observatories November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization
Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences
21
The End
Observatories November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization
Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences