GSO: a remote observatory for a downtown back-yard

When I decided to build a downtown backyard observatory, I knew I had to compromise with my wife's garden; no big domes here! Fair enough: I had no intention of being in the obervatory other than for start-up and servicing ... and I intended to operate remotely from the house. I also needed something not too expensive, but totally weather proof that would stand up to the climatic rigour of Ottawa, Canada (snow, ice, freezing rain, rain, winds etc). The solution was a single gable Royal garden shed (hence GSO) with a 7' x 4' footprint. It's constructed of double-walled vinyl panels that slide along double tongue-and-groove for assembly. Since this also applies to the roof (4 panels), it was easy to obtain a waterproof opening for observing with a minimum amount of modifications. All for less than $500 Canadian and weekend's single-handed work! GSO houses a 10" LX200 GPS SCT with a MallinCam Xtremem B&W or an SBIG ST8-XME camera for digitally enhanced observing or imaging, respectively, depending on my mood - all of which can be remotely controlled after initial set-up (5 minutes). My warm room is the house !

Late night shut-down and close-up takes all of 2 minutes!

Site last updated October 10th, 2010

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