Just like other amateur observatories, I guess we should show something about our design and construction. Otherwise, you may believe in the aardvarks but not the observatory. Just don’t ask us how long it took to finish!

We began with a real observatory plan:

Early 2006: Permits were approved, and we began site preparation and foundations for the isolated pier and the building:

Update—2007

The telescope was installed. Polar alignment went beautifully.

The final T-Point model was within (-16 sec).

The Internet communications are via Hughes Satellite. It was more time-consuming than expected to get the remote administration access to work (via Radmin) through the router.

Here is the finished Aardvark Observatory !

Site preparation.

Excavation down to bedrock for  the pier concrete foundation.

Our contractor, Mike, working on reinforcing.

Pier reinforcing.

Ready to pour concrete.

The pier foundation alone has a mass over 100,000 lbs., providing a vibration-free base.

First framing, including setting of the pier steel pipe.

Another view of the pier.

The pipe was also filled with concrete.  Total mass of the pier plus the foundation was 130,000 lbs.

It is tall!

The foundation, pier, and framing for the floor of the control room here are shown in place.

Hey, look at this one captured by my friend, Paul. The little critters were feeling right at home already!

Assembly of the dome was a project all by itself.

The observatory is shown nearly complete, just awaiting final interior work...and of course, the telescope!