Hi everyone, I see all the different types of backyard obsevatories and I just had to put in my 2cents worth.. I have a pretty neat set up in my back yard and taking into Tom Monroe's really true coment on 8 JAn 03 about not everyone has a really complete 360 degree sky, I think this might be an answer for a lot of folks. This is an idea from an old Sky & Tel (May 1977) for a neat vertical roll off. It is simple to build and most of all for us that do not have "deep pockets" it is fairly cheap! I believe I have in mine about a total of $600.00 (not including my labor) My son and I put this up in a weekend. In my case I do not have a West sky due to my garage and trees, but for me that is not too much to be concerned over. My view to the North, East and South are very good. I am sure all can see by the photos of the building it is quite adequate for most purposes. My observatory (shed) is about 7 X 7 ft square and a top height of 7 ft sloping down to 4 ft. The roof merely slides down on tracks on each side of the shed to a single track at the low end of the shed (this case East) which does not cause me any problem, and the roof is really stable on the single track as the roof is still on the side tracks so it is supported on three points as well as a pair of feet at the low end of the roof. I hope this idea is of some help to those wishing to have a simple shelter for their 'scopes plus keeping light and wind off of them while observing. I think the photos are pretty self explanatory.
Good luck, and Clear skies,
Jim
Good luck, and Clear skies,
Jim
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