OBSERVATORY

DESIGN

OPTIONS

Observatory Design Options

• Traditional Domes

• Flat Cylindrical Rotating Roofs

• Roll Away Sheds

• Split Sheds

• Roll-off roofs

• Split roofs

Traditional Dome

Geodesic Dome

Flat section

domes

Domed Observatory

Disadvantages

• Very Costly

• Difficulties with rotation if not perfectly round

• Notorious for leaks

• Can only view a small area of the sky

• Slit catches the wind & creates whirlwinds inside

• Slit has to be constantly moved to track sky

• Typically small working space inside

• Only required for large refractors of old

• IMPRACTICAL

• Poor resale value

Simple roll away shed

Roll Away Shed

• Offers no protection for observer

• Telescope affected by wind and dew

• Expensive for a water proof cover

• Provides no day time work area

• Or under-cover work area while at

telescope

Split Shed Observatory

Plans

Split Shed Observatory

Advantages

• Allows maximum protection for both Observer and Telescope

• Allows slit observing for cold and/or windy weather

• And, full sky viewing for good conditions

• Cost effective

• Weatherproofing of base of walls recommended

A Split shed observatory

Roll Off Roof Observatory

24” Reflector Observatory

Rolloff Roof Observatory

Disadvantages

• Minimal protection for scope and its user

• Can be hot in summer when working on

scope

• Little control of lighting

Simple modernising design

End View of Split Roof Observatory

Springwood Observatory

South End View

Slit Mode

Opens Sky ModeOpen Mode

Interior view

White light for maintenance

Dimmable Red Lighting for Observing

Blinds for windows

Good bench space and storage facilities

Carpet

creates

comfort by

reducing

tiredness

and cold

Control room at end or in corner of

observatory

Control Room

A Simple Split Roof Observatory

Viewing whole horizon

Country retreat with observatory

and living space below

Multiple instrument observatory

with living quarters below

A New York Observatory

where money’s no object

Exterior views

Floor Plans

Observatory level designed for public viewing

Commercial Double Observatory

Field Observatories

• Collapsable for transportation

• Lightweight but strong

• Large enough to provide shelter for both

telescope and the observer

• Able to be well secured in wind

Rotatable dome-like wind break

Astrocamp Tent Observatory

Locating an Observatory

• Rainforests are for rain - not observatories!

• Mountains create clouds

• Tops of hills draw turbulence

• Flat lowlands are best

• Protected plateaus are better than mountain tops

Mountains create their own cloud cover

Lord Howe Is