Casa Estrella (Star House)
my backyard observatory

Casa Estrella is my back yard observatory that I built over a six month period from July 2002 until January 2003.  While I do not live in a particularly dark location, owing to the San Jose light dome and to local street lights, the site is acceptable for casual viewing and for CCD imaging work. 

The structure is made using conventional 2x4 framing.  The foundation consists of pier blocks resting atop poured concrete footings.  The roof rolls on five heavy duty casters on each side, with four additional casters guiding the roof to keep it centered.  The window and skylight allow me to "work" on equipment or observing plans in the star house in the daytime.

The pier was made from a section of 6" diameter aluminum pipe welded to a 1/2" thick aluminum plate. Total cost for the pier was about $100.  The pier is anchored to a 600 pound concrete footing using 24" long, 1" diameter J-bolts that were cast into the footing.

The total cost for this project was about $1,800. 

Here are some photographs of the structure during construction and some more of the finished observatory.

Roof opened, front view
Inside view from the north
Inside view from the west
Pier J-bolt installation
Foundation pier blocks
Floor joists
Wall framing
Roof rafters
Roll off roof beams
Roof rollers
Inside guide wheels
Outside guide wheels
First light, happy astronomers