Building a Roll-Off Roof or Dome Observatory

Expanded to include instructions on how to build an environmentally friendly, durable domed observatoryBuilding a Roll-Off Roof or Dome Observatory, Authors: Hicks, John Stephen 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.