Observatory Project Progress Page

Update report        stage one complete        February 5^th 2010

Hi and welcome to the observatory progress page

Well the end of the first stage of a rather long joinery has arrived and we find ourselves in possession of planning permission to build an observatory within the grounds of Dyffryn gardens.

Many will know we have been here before with the last venture falling at the last hurdle prior to installation beginning that is not only at Dyffryn Gardens but at Castle Heights as well. 

In May 2007 we began the quest for an observatory site at which stage the at the Castle Heights observing site looked promising Unfortunately in March 2008, just as we were ready to start ground works, our plans were thwarted because the owners decides to use the site for other purposes and they revoked permission. For us it was back to the drawing board.

In November 2008 it was decided to put another request to Dyffryn Gardens fully expecting them to say no but to our great joy we were pleased to get a positive response, so initial plans and ideas were put together and presented to the project manager at Dyffryn Gardens. Initial discussions were held and over the last year we have moved to the point we find ourselves today, ready to go.

What does it look like now?

Well as you can see it is the shrub has pride of place. Actually the shrub is just keeping the place for the pier warm prior to transplantation to a different part of the gardens. The resulting hole the shrub leaves will form part of the hole needed to put the pier base in and the tape seen on the ground will be roughly shape and position of the base for the observatory

What are the next steps?

Well firstly we need to get the concrete slab and the pier base down and in position. At that point full intent can be seen by our hosts. The observatory will be bolted to the slab and the pier base is isolated from the concrete slab to minimise unwanted vibrations.

What are we aiming for?

We are looking at an Alexander observatory 16ft x 10ft in size with space for a 6ft x 10ft warm room. To include a removable wall so we can open the observatory to it's full size during public observing sessions or educational events. The warm room wall stay in place when used by CAS members to give comfort during longer sessions. Astro photographers will understand this decision. Within the warm room we will be able to host the equipment needed to operate the telescope via PC if required. All these concepts are to be finalised over the coming weeks months prior to installation or first light.

We have also been in talks with Dyffryn gardens to discuss the possibilities of utilising the facilities on site during the sessions i.e. WCs, and car park facilities around the Cory education centre. We are awaiting final clarification on these points. During some organised public events we are also hoping to send images from the telescope to the Cory education centre where we will be able to give talks with live images, all this though is in phase two lets get the observatory in and running in a basic state first.

The commitee will now work to bring the project to it conclusion at the earliest opportunity. We are in possession of the funds to complete the project but as you will be well aware the costs of such a venture will be high, and we do not want or intend to put a strain on the normal running of the society.

This project will take a large amount of our funds so can I call on you for your continued support of our raffle the funds from which top up our equipment fund from which the observatory will be partially paid, with the remainder coming from our main account.

So as you can see it is another busy year and we would welcome any assistance over the coming months. I look forward to bringing you any updates as we move forward and hope by the next Newsletter to be well on the way to completion.

Following on below you will see the plans for the observatory

On the image oposite you will see from the top image and the bottom image how the roof will roll off the main observatory structure to allow the telescope acces to the sky.

On the end elevation images it will be noted that there is to be railings fitted to the access ramp to allow ease of acces for the elederly and the infirm.