Spot Observatory: 2005 Expansion 1976 Precursor

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In April-May, 2005 the observatory  building was lengthened by nine feet to 23 feet to permit separation of the two piers to allow simultaneous use of both telescopes.  In addition, the rails were extended by 16 feet (to 34 feet) to permit the roof to be moved further from the building than before.  As part of the original planning, a decision was made to not image below 25-30 degrees.  As a result, the walls were set at 7 feet, permitting a standard door, and a roof pitch of 5 in 12 was chosen, resulting in good wind protection with the roof open, and plenty of headroom when closed.  Several trees were removed as part of the expansion to improve visibility down to 15-20 degrees.

The completed expanded observatory in 2005, with Nashville artist Rusty Wolfe after installation of sculpture

Master Observatory Builder Butch Moss working on 2005 expansion

Above, the original slab, and to the right, the partially completed original observatory in early 2004

Below, and to the right: My first observatory, built by my father and me behind my house in Memphis, Tennessee in 1976.  It was 10 x 10 feet, with 4 foot walls.  Next to a busy intersection, I could see the brighter planets and the moon, but not much else.  I made a 10" F/5.6 reflector to mount on my RV6 Dynascope mount.  It was seriously undermounted.  Note the coffee can weight on the counterweight shaft extension.  In 1978, when I left Memphis, a Quantum 4 mak replaced this equipment (for the next 26 years) until I built my current observatory in 2004.  For more photos of my older equipment in use in Memphis and on total solar eclipse trips, click HERE.

Observatory builders Wendell Manner, my uncle Jack McDade and me in 1976.