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How To Setup An Observatory In Your Backyard

Having a backyard observatory is the ultimate dream for most amateur astronomers. If you often find yourself staring at the night sky, trying to make sense of the sparkling dots and lines up there, then perhaps it’s time for you to set up your own observatory.

That way, when the weather syncs with your free time, you can easily spend the entire night under the stars without any hassle. You can observe the cosmos from dusk till dawn, then close up the observatory and be in bed in less than 5 minutes. But how do you go about setting one up in your backyard? Read on to find out.

Choose an Observatory

There are many types of home observatories that you can choose from, including apex-roofed sheds with lift-off, roll-off, and dome roofs. Commercially-made, glass-reinforced plastic domes are the easiest to set up, but they can be quite expensive. Home-build options, on the other hand, are cheaper but harder to set up. Every type has its unique pros and cons, but the great thing about building your own observatory is that you get to choose the size, design, and layout that best suits your needs.

Rolling roof observatories are typically the cheapest, depending on where you buying it from or what materials you using to build it. Lift-off roofs, on the other hand, are more complicated than rolling roof or dome observatories, but they allow for the highest viewing capacity. Ultimately, the best observatory for your backyard will depend on your preferences, space, and budget. 

Pick a Location

For optimum lunar and planetary observation, choosing the right location is essential. Finding the ideal place for your backyard observatory will give you the best opportunities to stargaze without interruption. Pick a spot that’s quiet yet accessible, and make sure that no trees will grow in that area and block your view.

You also need to choose a location with minimal light pollution. The best view will mostly depend on the specific celestial objects you would like to observe as well as the times of the night and/or year you prefer to stargaze at. To choose the best spot for your observatory, put your telescope on a portable mount, and try different locations until you find the right one. Don’t forget to consult a reliable star chart before settling on a spot. Doing so would help you have an optimal spot when viewing the night sky.

Pay Attention to the Materials

Building your observatory with concrete blocks or bricks will negatively affect your viewing experience. They will soak up heat during the day and proceed to radiate it away all night, which will reduce the quality of your observations, and even the best telescope won’t give you clear vision in this situation. A wooden or glass-reinforced plastic structure is probably the best option for a home observatory. To protect your valuable equipment from temperature fluctuations between day and night as well as seasonal changes throughout the year, you might also want to invest in insulation materials.

Observatory

Make sure the materials you use are waterproof because frequent exposure to the elements, especially the rain and snow, will damage and erode the construction itself as well as the instruments inside it. Furthermore, you should consider buying a waterproof cover for extra assurance to protect your observatory when it’s not in use.

Secure Your Observatory

The last thing you want is for your observatory to be ravaged by unwelcome intruders. Wasps can build nests inside your precious dome, while squirrels and rats can chew on wires and insulation, and raccoons and ants can invade the space, looking for whatever food you have stashed away for a late-night snack. To avoid any unpleasant surprises, make sure to inspects the space regularly for any new tenants. Pay extra attention to the dark and hidden corners where snakes and insects like to take refuge.

Vandalism and theft are also possible threats that you have to worry about. A sturdy fence coupled with a strong padlock should be enough to protect your observatory, but you might want to invest in an insurance policy just to be on the safe side.

Last but not least, you must acquaint yourself with your state’s local zoning regulations and obtain the appropriate building permits before you start construction. After you’re done setting up, you can start adding small pieces of furniture and equipment, depending on your needs. Just make sure you leave enough room to operate the telescope comfortably. Also, it would be wise to not fix anything permanently to the floor because you’ll inevitably need to move things around. Hopefully, with this guide, you’ll soon be observing the cosmos from your very own dome right there at your backyard.


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How To Setup An Observatory In Your Backyard

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