Rolling Roof

Instead of a dome this is called a roll-off roof observatory. The roof is on wheels and rolls off the building onto to set of rails made of 4x4 posts. This exposes the whole sky to the scope without need of a rotating dome.

Since the roof is actually a separate structure that has to be light enough to move but heavy enough to withstand the weather. I'm using a lot of "hurricane brackets" for the top.

First 

The building sill is 2 2x6 on the rolling sides. The roof frame is a 2x6 with a 2x4 on the outside edge for the rolling sides. On the non-rolling sides it's two 2x4s, the top one interlocking on the 2x6 from the rolling edges.

Here's the one corner of the roof frame with the steel corner bracket and the truss bracket. Notice the top 2x4 of the frame is longer than the bottom to allow it to connect to the extra width of the 2x6 underneath.

The other corner, showing the building sill underneath with corner brackets and a nail late. On top is the 2x6 with the wheel and castor. The top 2x4 from the non-rolling sides locks into the 2x6 and behind is a corner bracket long enough to connect the 2x4s to the 2x6.

 The ridge pole sits in s cradle made by 3 two roofs, the center one shorter to provide a gap from half the width of the ridge pole which is a 2x6. The whole assembly of the ridge connectors has steel angle brackets and 10 screws on each side. This shows the gap between the roof and the building. The roof will roll along he direction of the ridge pole on this side where a frame of 4x4 and 2x6 will be to accept it.

 One of the roll off sides with the wheels, four per side with a 300lb weight  limit per wheel. Behind in the field is mustard greens and diakon radish.

Here's the pier from the SW corner. Four threaded rods are embedded 3 feet down the pier. A steel plate that matches these bolts will be mounted to the scope and the plate bolted to the pier. Four self locking nuts below the plate will allow it to be leveled. This also shows the complete floor.

The large steel brackets on the ridge pole assembly which is 3 2x4 with lots of 3.5 inch screws.

Work in Progress

Continued work - Floor joists and planked floor

The four corner posts and the rebar and wire mesh for the pier.

Jena's hand print in the SE corner.

The pier anchor and foot is poured. About 1 cubic meter total,

The view SE with the flock in the back.

Next day the joists in hangers.

First floor plank.

Jena's hand now set in man-made stone.

Hurricane brackets for the studs.

Floor done up to the pier and the first horizontal strip for the sheeting.

We like the look.