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Observatories: The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly:
Some Thoughts on Observatory Design and Construction
by Tim Hunter and James McGaha
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I. INTRODUCTION
Amateur astronomers dream of having their own observatory at a
site with dark skies and good seeing. Observatories are
wonderful and can provide endless hours of pleasure. Yet, they
have to be designed and managed with care otherwise they can
become expensive white elephants rarely used or enjoyed. In this
essay we hope to alert you to some of the difficulties that
arise in connection with an amateur observatory. Beware of
common pitfalls and plan to avoid them (Table I). This is not to
discourage you from building an observatory. Far from it.
Observatories are marvelous. We only want to prevent your
suffering some of traumas we have gone through with our
observatory construction and operation.TABLE I --
UNANTICIPATED OBSERVATORY PROBLEMS
A. COST OVERRUNS
1. Land costs: purchase costs; taxes; insurance; utility
installation.
2. Hidden costs: fencing; grading, road improvements; building
permits; well installation.
3. Costs for permanent observatory equipment (see below).
B. DESIGN PROBLEMS
1. Roof too heavy and difficult to move.
2. Poor seeing conditions: use of improper building materials
and poor observatory design.
3. Insufficient storage space; limited seating; no warming area
4. Horizon blockage by the roof or observatory walls.
5. Poor protection from the wind, rain, dust, and mud.
6. Thermal currents.
C. EVERYDAY PROBLEMS
1. Theft and vandalism.
2. Light pollution.
3. Fire and lightening.
4. Generator breakdowns. No electric or phone service.
5. Insect and animal pests.
6. Ordinary wear and tear. |
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