My Observatory

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Gilrock

Gilrock

Member
Joined
Oct 18, 2011
Messages
560
Location
Tucson, AZ
Here's a thread with a few links about my observatory I promised in another thread that I didn't want to stray off topic.

I built this observatory in 2001 doing almost all the work myself. Got some help for concrete pour day and when I needed to hang the rafters. The building is about 25' x 40' with about 700 sq ft opening up to the night sky when the roof is rolled back. There is also a 200 sq ft workshop on the side. The roof can roll across the rails using a control system that was designed by a guy in town who makes controllers for the domes on Kitt Peak and manufactures expensive telescopes for universities. You can open/close the roof by pushing a button on the panel or hookup a PC and control it remotely. I had ethernet to the building so I could control everything from inside my house.

Here are some photos of the construction:
Observatory

And here is the telescope (btw I've lost weight and shaved since that last photo...lol)
http://www.threebuttes.com/Equipment.htm

And here is a link to some of my images:
Images

I used to do asteroid discovery with this equipment and near earth object (NEO) follow-up work. If you google search "observatory code G90" that was me.

BTW I no longer live at this property...I spent 11 years out there and after a job change I got tired of a long drive to work so I moved back into town. So woodworking in the garage has become my new hobby. I sold the telescope from those photos but I still have a small 11" Celestron scope I can use where I live now.

And if you would love to live on that beautiful 2.5 acre property and would love to have an observatory to house your telescope I still have it for sale. If you checkout this listing you can see the latest paint job on the observatory and the awesome views from this property. :)
49819 E Eagle Nest Trail N, Tucson, AZ 85739 | Listing Information | Long Realty
 
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Woooooo!

The images link shows some amazing pics. They look like 3D on my computer. They are absolutly beautiful!!!!
I don't know much about atro stuff but really enjoyed the images. Great job!
 
I find myself speechless! Since childhood the stars have fascinated me but a telescope that could do more than give me a glimpse at features on the moon has always eluded my grasp!

Has an Alaskan adventure ever appealed to you? I'd be happy to act as guide in trade for some instruction and time with that marvelous eye on the sky!!!!!!!
 
I have telescope envy:biggrin:

I do have one, but it's hand held and small and I have to pull the end out. Bummer. On the bright side, it makes me feel like a pirate.
 
thats fantastic, and i bet your really proud for building it!

The scope looked.. well no other way of buittering it up other than to say EXPENSIVE... i googled it... yes its as expensive as it looks!!!!!!! ouch! i didnt go as far as to check the mount, but im sure you love every penny of it
 
BradG said:
The scope looked.. well no other way of buittering it up other than to say EXPENSIVE... i googled it... yes its as expensive as it looks!!!!!!! ouch! i didnt go as far as to check the mount, but im sure you love every penny of it
Click to expand...

Well I don't know if you read the whole post because at the bottom I said I sold that scope. Those high end telescope actually hold their value fairly well. I sold it for $25,000 after using it for 3 years and had paid $26,000 + a few thousand in accessories. The reason it sold so well is the price for the same scope brand new had gone up to $34,000 in 3 years. Same with the mount. Bought for around $8,000 and sold it years later for $7,000.
 
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