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| Telescopes and Techniques | |
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| What is an Observatory? | |
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| Of Telescopes and Allied Equipment | |
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| Visual, Film or Electronic Observing? | |
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| A Summary of the Options | |
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| The Observatory Site | |
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| Selecting the Best Site | |
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| How Large Should It Be? | |
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| Environmental Considerations | |
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| Statutory Planning Requirements and Building Codes | |
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| Types of Observatories | |
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| A Fully-Portable Setup | |
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| Removable Telescopes with a Fixed Mounting | |
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| Run-Off Sheds | |
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| Run-Off Roof Observatories | |
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| Domed Observatories | |
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| Totally-Rotating Observatories | |
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| Novel Designs | |
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| To Build or To Buy? | |
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| Costs of DIY and Ready-Made Observatories | |
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| Adapting Commercially-Made Outbuildings | |
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| Employing Others to Build Your Observatory | |
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| Techniques of Construction | |
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| Tools | |
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| Foundations and Stability | |
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| Materials and Joining Them | |
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| Finishing the Observatory | |
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| Paint and Preservation | |
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| Flooring | |
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| Regulation of Temperature and Humidity | |
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| Security | |
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| Organising the Observatory | |
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| Electricity | |
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| Lighting | |
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| Storage of Equipment | |
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| Cables | |
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| Comfort and Convenience | |
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| Observing Positions, Chairs, Ladders, and Platforms | |
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| Warm Rooms and Automation | |
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| Some Case Studies | |
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| Bob Garner's Observatory: CCD Imaging from a Converted London Garage | |
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| Martin Mobberley's Plastic Shed Adaptation and His Telescope on Wheels | |
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| Olly Penrice's Observing Retreat in the South of France | |
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| My Observatory: A Combined Run-Off Roof and Run-Off Shed Construction | |
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| Dave Tyler's A Priori Fibreglass Dome | |
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| Norm Lewis's Observatory: An Experience with a Commercial Dome | |
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| Es Reid's Solar Observatory | |
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| Richard Miles' Compact Remote-Controlled Photometric Facility | |
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| Mike Morrison-Smith's Dobsonian Storage Box | |
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| Maintaining and Getting the Best from Equipment | |
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| Collimation | |
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| Cleaning Optics | |
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| Adjustment, Cleaning and Lubrication of Mechanics | |
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| Preventing Dew | |
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| Polar-Alignment for Equatorials | |
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| Balance, Accessories and Extra Telescopes | |
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| Software | |
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| Final Thoughts | |
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| Observatory Manufacturers | |
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| Useful Web Links | |
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| Index | |