TheSkySearchers

It looks great!

Congratulations

Great work JT.

I assume that last downpour was good for testing the waterproofing of your roof though

Looks great! Congrats JT!

How freakin' cool is that!

Super nice JT! I'm sure that it took a chunk out of your butt building this, but it will be well worth it!

Really looking forward to your first light!

That's pretty exciting. Looks great!

Hi JayTee
Looks great. Look forward to seeing your results.
Congratulations
Joe

Congratulations and thanks for the journey! Mind if I ask, what was the total cost?

chris_g wrote: ↑Fri Oct 28, 2022 9:50 pmMind if I ask, what was the total cost?

3 Planewave 12.5 CDKs

This is something I look forward to building myself, someday. For now I vicariously enjoy seeing yours come together.

I think I'm speaking for many SkySearchers members, when I say I am eagerly awaiting your first-light report, JayTee.

JayTee wrote: ↑Sun Oct 30, 2022 7:27 am

chris_g wrote: ↑Fri Oct 28, 2022 9:50 pmMind if I ask, what was the total cost?

3 Planewave 12.5 CDKs

Beyond my means at this point in time, thank you Sir! I am extremely jealous of your Harry Potter closet. Enjoy!

Clear Skies,
Chris

JayTee, a job well done! Congratulations on the completion of your one of a kind Observatory.
If you ever come down to the Boise area, it would be my pleasure to meet you.
Kerry

UPDATE!!!

It appears that the cloud gods were extremely unhappy that I had finally finished the obsy. They are currently making their point!

The Rimrock Observatory was completed and ready on Thursday 20 October. The next night was supposed to be sneak preview night for my 3 local neighbor families, they've been expectantly watching the entire building process. Then Saturday and Sunday night was supposed to be "open house" for all of the subcontractors and their families. Unfortunately, on Friday, 21 October, in the afternoon the rains started and the clouds and rain have not let up yet and they aren't supposed to depart any time soon. Since 21 October the obsy has lived through its first 3" of rain! The first 1/2" revealed where the hidden leaks existed (all along the north side just under the metal track). The following 2" showed that we had plugged up 98% of those leaks. I'm now dealing with water-soaked wood weeping water into the obsy. Well, that's about to end this Friday when everything turns to ice and snow. So no more leaks till spring, yay!

The good news is that the obsy is definitely weatherproof now. All of the leaks occurred where the roof track was installed on the north side of the roof opening. Those leaks have been fixed. I have two more water-mitigating strategies to implement (finally getting the metal flashing installed and more roof goo). Then I should be completely weatherproof.

I can say without hesitation or reservation that this design for an observatory roof works and works well!

I go out every day and sit in the warm room which is living up to its name by using only a small electric heater.

I am anxiously waiting for the first clear night when I can successfully complete the first-light report.

Until then,
Cheers

You have done a very impressive build there JT.

It is a shame that the weather has not yet allowed you to have your 'open day' :sigh:

You will get your chance soon though (fingers crossed) and your rewards will be seeing all the awe and smiling faces of your visitors.

Good luck with that :smile:

Supposedly, it is cloudy one night for every inch of aperture. How many inches is the roll-off opening?

KathyNS wrote: ↑Thu Nov 03, 2022 10:02 am Supposedly, it is cloudy one night for every inch of aperture. How many inches is the roll-off opening?

CPC1100 11" + C6R/6RC 6" = 17. That is this coming Monday, I have my fingers crossed. Although the cloud gods seemed particularly pissed at me and that number may double!

JayTee wrote: ↑Thu Nov 03, 2022 7:29 pm

KathyNS wrote: ↑Thu Nov 03, 2022 10:02 am Supposedly, it is cloudy one night for every inch of aperture. How many inches is the roll-off opening?

CPC1100 11" + C6R/6RC 6" = 17. That is this coming Monday, I have my fingers crossed. Although the cloud gods seemed particularly pissed at me and that number may double!

In this case, since it is a new observatory, not a new scope, the relevant aperture is the building: 10' = 120" = 120 days. You might get brownie points for sharing your plans and build photos, so hopefully, it will be less than that.

KathyNS wrote: ↑Thu Nov 03, 2022 8:04 pmthe relevant aperture is the building: 10' = 120" = 120 days.

Oh man. The observing room aperture is 9' x 9'. But that is still 81 days.

I'm trying to find a smaller number that would still appease the cloud gods!

KathyNS wrote: ↑Thu Nov 03, 2022 8:04 pm In this case, since it is a new observatory, not a new scope, the relevant aperture is the building: 10' = 120" = 120 days. You might get brownie points for sharing your plans and build photos, so hopefully, it will be less than that.

Thank you, this is good to know. While not in the real near future, there will be another new some day. So sharing appeases the sky gods!

Fantastic build JT! Wishing you many clear skies and endless enjoyment!

Mike