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Building a Roll-Off Roof or Dome Observatory

A Complete Guide for Design and Construction

  • Book
  • © 2016

Overview

Authors:
  1. John Stephen Hicks

    1. Keswick, Canada

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  • Expanded to include instructions on how to build an environmentally friendly, durable domed observatory
  • Observatory of both kinds available for purchase directly from the author
  • Outlines step-by-step construction of a typical building, with detailed diagrams for each phases of construction
  • The author has designed and built his own observatory, as well as many others
  • Written by a professional Senior Landscape Architect, who is also an experienced astronomer of 25 years

Part of the book series: The Patrick Moore Practical Astronomy Series (PATRICKMOORE)

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Table of contents (15 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xxi
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  2. The Roll-Off Roof Observatory

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
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    2. The Benefits of a Permanent Observatory

      • John Stephen Hicks
      Pages 3-32

    3. Observatory Design Considerations

      • John Stephen Hicks
      Pages 33-45

    4. Options for Foundation Types and Laying Out the Observatory “Footprint”

      • John Stephen Hicks
      Pages 47-50

    5. Fabricating the Telescope Pier

      • John Stephen Hicks
      Pages 51-61

    6. Preparing the Footings and the Observatory Floor

      • John Stephen Hicks
      Pages 63-76

    7. Framing the Walls

      • John Stephen Hicks
      Pages 77-87

    8. Framing the Gantry Section

      • John Stephen Hicks
      Pages 89-91

    9. Fabricating the Track and Base Plate

      • John Stephen Hicks
      Pages 93-99

    10. Framing the Roof

      • John Stephen Hicks
      Pages 101-109

    11. Applying the Steel Roofing

      • John Stephen Hicks
      Pages 111-115

    12. Applying Exterior Siding and Interior Wall sheathing

      • John Stephen Hicks
      Pages 117-121

    13. Final Luxuries

      • John Stephen Hicks
      Pages 123-126

  3. The Dome Observatory

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 127-127
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    2. Dome Design Materials and Construction Methods

      • John Stephen Hicks
      Pages 129-147

    3. Commercial Models and Kits

      • John Stephen Hicks
      Pages 149-164

    4. Plans and Construction Steps Toward Building a Dome Observatory

      • John Stephen Hicks
      Pages 165-224

  4. Back Matter

    Pages 225-248
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Keywords

About this book

Almost every practical astronomer eventually aspires to have a fixed, permanent observatory for his or her telescope. A roll-off roof or dome observatory is the answer for the most popular home observatory design. Building a Roll-Off or Dome Observatory will help you decide whether to embark on the venture and will certainly increase your enthusiasm for the project.

The author, both an amateur astronomer and a professional landscape architect, answers many of the common questions asked about observatory construction, covering the following topics:

• Zoning, and by-law requirements common to most states, towns and municipalities

• Where to locate the observatory

• How to tailor the observatory for your particular needs

• Tools and structural components required

• Possible variations in design

• How to combine the structure with other structures (incorporating a garden patio under the gantry in

the roll-off roof observatory, for example)

This fully detailed outlines step-by-step construction, with professional detailed diagrams for each phase of construction.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Keswick, Canada

    John Stephen Hicks

About the author

John Hicks is a Canadian citizen, Professor of Urban & Regional planning, and also a qualified professional landscape architect. Based in Ontario, Canada, he is the principal owner of John Hicks & Associates, Environmental Planners and Landscape Architects, Site Planning, Park Planning and Environmental Impact Assessment. He is also a long-time amateur astronomer and has had articles published in “Astronomy,” chapters in Dickinson and Dyer’s “The Backyard Astronomer’s Guide,” and has made contributions to various other astronomy books. John is well-known as a designer of observatories and telescopes and has been an active solar observer for 30 years. Prior to writing the first edition of “Building a Roll-Off Observatory,” he created and sold observatory plans for both roll-off and domed observatory structures at major star parties and to various clients globally.

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