After a few weeks of research and planning I’ve started taking delivery of materials for my new observatory in the garden. I’ve been wanting to do this for a while, in order to reduce the long setup time needed, for astrophotography in particular.
Priority is phase 1, a concrete pier as a permanent mount for the telescope. Solid, always in the right place, and always aligned and ready. Phase 2 will be a construction of a ‘roll off’ shed. This will allow the telescope to remain in position. The shed will roll back onto the patio when observing. It will also contain all my kit.
First item to arrive this week was the pier head adapter which will be embedded in the concrete pier, and will connect to my telescope’s EQ5 mount.
Today came the materials for the concrete, 42 bags or 1 ton! All dumped rather unceremoniously on the drive…
Next to come, reinforcement bars and a few other bits and then it will be time to dig a huge hole in the lawn!