2019 Update: An updated view of the "warm room". On far right, still have the "Vintage" 1970's Marantz receiver for late night music.

2019 Update: A view of 3 computer screens for monitoring the various aspects of imaging and processing images.

2019 Update: The mechanical safety switch was replaced with an optical beam sensor mounted on the observatory wall. The emitted optical beam reflects off a telescope mounted reflector. When "aligned", the circuit is activated the roof can automatically close. If the telescope is not in the correct position, the rolloff roof cannot close.

2019 Update: The optical beam reflector.

I modified the Backyard Observatory Motor manual control with a relay system to control the roof open and close functions by computer.

The Remote Power Outlet is sold as an accessory to the Robofocus. Each 115VAC outlet can be actuated by computer command through a serial port. Visual Basic scripts were written to control the observatory functions automatically. The black cable powers the roof close circuit and the green cable powers the roof open circuit. Below, the white cable powers on the lights for illumination and the 90 deg black cable powers-on the entire mount, telescope(s), camera(s), fans, cooling pumps etc.

A close-up view of a safety switch which prevents the roof from closing into the telescope. A wooden coffee stirrer from Starbucks extends the arm of the micro-switch to contact the telescope.

This safety switch ensures the telescope is "parked" before power is applied to the roof close relay. The roof motor could cause considerable damage to the telescope and mount. Brackets allow adjustment of the actuating arm/microswitch to make sure the telescope is in the proper position.

Completed Observatory, Roof Closed.

Roof Opened up for Summertime Viewing.

Telescope is in operational position.

Roof Opened for Summertime Viewing, The Telescope Room is painted black to reduce light reflections. Four windows open up to reduce thermal gradients and improve astronomical seeing. The roof also contains 2 inches of styrofoam insulation mounted with adhesive and screws on the inside which greatly reduces the Sacramento summertime heat gain on the inside. In Winter the roof closes over and seals off the Warm Room and keeps the room a "toasty" 70 degrees with an electric heater.

Inside Warm Room, equipped with a Laptop and second computer screen, shelves for storage of imaging and telescope equipment and my vintage 1970's Stereo Equipment (no where else to store it!) that plays MP3 files!

Outside Rail System to Support Roof as it rolls off Observatory

This handy under shelf light on a dimmer switch is great for recording notes. I keep a record of each observing night's conditions, equipment performance and imaging details. It is off during imaging sessions