Summer Stargazing: How to Build Your Own Backyard Observatory

Ah, the wonders of stargazing at home.
Astronomy enthusiasts know all too well how relaxing and convenient it is to be able to enjoy a stargazing session in the comfort of your own backyard. Maybe you have a shed where you have kept your precious telescope. Or maybe you are planning on building your very own backyard observatory.
One of the advantages of your own backyard observatory is that you get to observe much more than just the moon. Here are all the upcoming stargazing events you can enjoy this year with your personal observatory.

Stargazing Events for 2019
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• June 23: Mercury at the Greatest Eastern Elongation
• July 2: Total Solar Eclipse
• July 9: Saturn at Opposition
• July 16: Full Buck Moon
• July 28, 29: Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower
• August 12, 13: Perseids Meteor Shower
• September 9: Neptune at Opposition
• September 14: Harvest Moon
• October 8: Draconids Meteor Shower
• October 13: Blood Moon
• October 21, 22: Orionids Meteor Shower
• October 27: Uranus at Opposition
• November 5, 6: Taurids Meteor Shower
• November 11: Transit of Mercury across the Sun.
• November 17, 18: Leonids Meteor Shower.
• November 24: Conjunction of Venus and Jupiter
• November 28: Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation
• December 13, 14: Geminids Meteor Shower
• December 21, 22: Ursids Meteor Shower

So what are you waiting for? Let’s embark together on the journey of building a home observatory in your backyard.

Laying Down the Foundation

Your observatory should rest on a solid foundation, whether that is a wooden foundation or concrete one. If you’re using wood, make sure it is pressure treated and anchored properly using a sledgehammer. It’s a good idea to talk to landscaping experts before starting your project so that your observatory complements the rest of the yard.

Walls and Framing

Next up is the framing and walls. Wall framing can be tricky and is best left to professionals. However, if you’re a do-it-yourself enthusiast, start by placing wall studs on 16-inch or 24-inch centers. Install the wall frames and then move on to plywood installation. Though waferboard is an inexpensive alternative, it doesn’t last very long. Remember to weather-strip any points that could allow water, moisture, or snow to enter.

Setting up the Rolling Roof

Once you’re done with the corners, framing, and wall, start working on the internal frames and rails. The roll-off roof will rest on the internal wooden frame. Aluminum angles on top of the rails will act as tracks for the rolling roof’s wheels.

Observatory Dome
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If you’re going for the authentic observatory look, a rolling roof might not be the best thing for you. You can always search online for pre-built observatory domes or customized dome kits to install over your DIY home observatory.
As you near the end of your project, remember to install a lock on your observatory door; maybe even install a CCTV camera to keep the equipment inside safe

Summary:
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Building a personal observatory in the backyard provides stargazing enthusiasts the luxury of observing the wonders of the sky in the comfort of their home. Building a backyard observatory requires paying heed to the foundation, walls, framing, rolling roof, and security measures such as security cameras and locks.