Eric wrote:

Tom McDonald wrote:


Benign Vanilla wrote:


"Tom McDonald" wrote in message
...


Eric wrote:



I am just beginning to plan o utanobservatoryatmyhouse.
I will remove a closet that is unused, put a doorway in and that will
go to a short set of steps up to a platform at the rooftop.
I was wondering if anyone had plans or recommendations for a small
observation platform where i could place a 12 or 14" reflector type
telescope and leave it there knowing it will be protected from
wind/rain and sometimes snow (This means a opening/closing roof)
Thanks

snip

I'd add that if the observatory is not cement from the second floor down,
the shakes will be a problem as well.

BV.



BV,

True. Would the anti-vibration pads that are placed under the
legs of the tripod help? (I'm assuming that the OP doesn't want
to pour a cement pillar from below the basement to the observing
platform.)



Maybe this isnt such a good idea. It seemed ok when i first thought of it as
i have a lot of trees nearby and being up at that level would have given me
access to lower areas of the horizon, plus a short run from there to my
computer room would have let me do some imaging to my desktop. The proposed
location of the platform actually would have had a straight shot down to
the ground so i suppose it could be Beam supported right off a concrete pad
below. If i supported the platform with 6x6 wood stilts sitting on a
concrete pad and braced to the side of the house would vibration still be a
problem?
Eric


Eric,

I'm not an expert by any means, but I think that the vibration
issue might be helped by a connection to concrete in-ground, the
more mass of concrete the better.

I'd be a bit concerned about the nature of the traffic near
your house. If there is much truck traffic, or a railroad
nearby, the vibrations from them might still be transmitted to
the 'scope.

Finally, I don't think tying the platform into the house
structure would be ideal. Houses move, in wind, cold or hot
weather, or just settling. Were I you, I'd check with someone
who builds observatories for a living.

--
Tom McDonald