1. Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association
Presents -
Backyard Observatories
With –
George Barber
Jerry and Kathy Farrar
Steve Ratts
Keith Schlottman
Observatories
November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences

2. Vedeler Observatory Catalina, AZ
(Used with permission of Chris Vedeler, Oct 2004)
Observatories
November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences

3. In The Beginning
11/2/98 - 1/22/99:
Selected observatory
location and dug hole
for concrete deadman.
1/23/99:
Poured 1 cubic yard
concrete deadman.
Observatories
November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences

4. 1/24/99: Setup 12" diameter pier mold & poured concrete pier
Observatories
November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences

5. 1/30/99: Staked out the building location
Observatories
November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences

6. 2/6/99: Set footers, installed posts
built structural skirting.
Observatories
November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences

7. 2/7/99:
Installed floor joists…
installed subflooring.
Observatories
November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences

8. The Pier Plate
1/30/99:
detail shot of pier bolts
2/10/99: Drilled holes for steel pier coupling
Observatories
November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences

9. 2/13/99: Built the walls
Observatories
November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences

10. 2/14/99: Poured footers for roll off roof support structure.
Built stairs to raised floor.
Tested polar alignment with
scope on pier.
Observatories
November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences

11. 2/15/99: Installed posts for the roll off roof support structure.
Found the top of the walls to be out of square. Braced the North wall to bring back to square.
Observatories
November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences

12. 2/20/99:
Built roof tracks. Sanded and painted angle iron.
Observatories
November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences

13. 2/21/99:
Finished Roll Off Roof structure…
Angle Iron and Roof tracks
Observatories
November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences

14. 2/23/99: Painted pier coupling black.
2/24/99: Painted the Pier White
2/27/99: Installed Ridge Beams and Roof Rafters
Observatories
November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences

15. 2/28/99: Built gable ends…
Installed plywood roofing and siding.
Observatories
November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences

16. 3/6/99: Installed roof shingles
3/7/99: Started painting interior dark blue Dug 75% of 100 foot trench for power.
3/8/99: Finished painting interior dark blue.
3/9/99: Roughed in electrical.
3/10/99: Finished trench and laid electrical and data cable.
3/12/99: Worked on electrical.
Observatories
November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences

17. 3/13/99:
Finished Electrical.
Connected power from house to observatory.
Installed door.
Installed carpet.
Installed cabinets and countertop.
3/14/99:
Painted exterior.
Weather striping
Installed telescope
Observatories
November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences

18. 3/20/99:
Installed garage door opener for roll off roof.
Painted door.
Observatories
November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences

19. The End…almost
Finished cabinet installation.
3/21/99: Finished painting exterior.
Finished weather striping.
Observatories
November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences

20. Post Construction Modifications:
5/30/99:
Installed powered attic
ventilation fan due to
excessive heat buildup inside.
Observatories
November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences

21. The End
Observatories
November 2004
A Scientific and Educational Organization Dedicated to Astronomy and Related Sciences