Here is my Star Trails observatory in my back garden in Broomfield.

I built it myself with advice from my good friend and fellow SEKAS member Ron Blay. The total cost of building was about £300. The observatory is a typical roll of shed design, I started by building the floor from 2” x 3” joists covered by 3/4” Sterling board, the walls were then made in 4 sections their frame was constructed from 2” x 2” treated timber skinned with 1/2” exterior grade plywood. Once wall sections were complete I assembled them on top of the floor and bolted them together. The roof was made the same way as the floor except the joists had to be mitred at each end to the correct angle, 6 wheels were then mounted in the roof timber. The wheels run in aluminium channel that is secured to the top of the walls.

Finally the whole building was covered with a coat of shed paint then 2 coats of marine varnish.

The roof was covered with shed felt, then painted with rubberised solar reflective paint, which as well as completely sealing the roof also stops the observatory from getting too hot in summer.