Well, it finally happened. After nearly 4 years of planning, we broke ground on Observatory 2.0 today!
Several months ago, I had laid out a wooden frame to form the general outline of the observatory; certain unkind friends dubbed it the “Les Nessman” Observatory.
Today, the excavation team came out and leveled a 16′ x 16′ square of the yard, pulling up several yards of sod and about 8 yards of dirt.
With the area hogged out, I was able to mark a 3′ circle, and they will return tomorrow to dig the footing for the pier.
The concrete framers will be out in the next few days to get ready to pour, and then sometime late next week, I should have concrete.
The design is for a 14′ x 14′ square wood-framed building, with a 10′ Technical Innovations HD-10 dome in the roof. Watch this space for more updates.
Can’t wait to see the hole in a few weeks!
Congratulations! Hope this brings you many hours of celestial enjoyment. Now that you are past the golden shovel stage what is the date you are anticipating the ribbon cutting?
You must have spent many days and hours mapping out just the right spot to place your lens! What a fun project! Keep posting the progress :0)
I’m not holding my breath, yet, but if all goes according to plan, I should have a domed building in place by Tax Day. Electricity, steel pier, interior finishing, and etc. might take a little more time. If I can figure out how to thread all the needles at once, First Light can happen anytime after the dome goes on.
In any case, I should have concrete curing before March 1st, and then it’s just a matter of time.
Holy crap this is awesome! You must feel so proud!…and your poor kids…”just another one of dad’s crazy ideas!” hehe
Wonderful,exciting! Observ.#2! I know you’ve had this one in your mind and on the drawing board a while.
Seeing it in progress will be super, and the next best thing to being there. Congratulations!
xoxo Sandra
How cool! Looking forward to seeing the final product =)