The observatory was built over several years starting in 2001 and finishing in 2005.   A 16'x16' freestanding deck was constructed to the north of a second floor front porch.  A concrete pedestal base which supports the telescope was built next.  The 2' diameter pedestal is 9' tall and has a 5'x5'x3' deep solid concrete base.  The observatory itself is shaped to match the shape of the deck and provides a 360-degree observation balcony for monitoring the sky or for daytime viewing of the Piedmont Plateau to the East.  On a clear day, the top 1/4 of the Washington Monument can be seen over the horizon at a distance of 35 miles.  

 

 

 

 

 

The 10' diameter dome is a Technical Innovations Home-Dome.  Dome rotation and shutter are both controlled electrically.  The exterior walls are 5/8" T1-11 plywood on 2x4 studs and the interior walls are finished with 1/8" beadboard. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 An entrance door just tall enough for a 6' person to walk through without ducking was desired so a raised floor was installed in the observatory to put the observer nearer the telescope eyepiece.  The raised floor neatly conceals power and signal wiring to and from the scope.   The four indented interior corners were put to good use:  the North corner houses an exhaust fan for rapid cooldown of the interior on hot days (which are numerous in Northern Virginia),  The East corner was built out as a control desk and is where a laptop computer is placed for image capturing.  Also at this control desk is a lighting control station which operates two rings of flexible "rope light" concealed behind a baffle that completely rings the interior ceiling perimeter.  One rope is red and the other is white.  The South corner holds a built-in electronics control shelf and provides space for a dedicated telescope control computer, monitor and keyboard.   Finally, the West corner is where the 120-volt power panel and a smoke detector are located.

The roof of the observatory around the dome is flat, but is impervious to rain due to a rubber membrane and several coats of rubberized sealer, similar to what is used to protect the top of RV's.  two Hurricane hold-down chains were installed inside the dome to keep the dome from rising up during high winds.

When the decision is made to do some observation, it only takes about 10 minutes to open the shutter, uncover the scope, establish computer control of the mount, disconnect the hurricane chains, connect the camera to the laptop and boot the camera control software.  

I am grateful to Steve Bracewell and John Walker for their valuable assistance with the construction process.  John is with Blinn Consulting and Design.

If you think I can assist with your domed observatory project plans - contact me at the email address below.

More construction pics.