For a few years now, I have been thinking of ways to improve my observatory.  One of the problems with Astronomy is that everything comes in boxes, and those boxes are needed to transport the equipment.  Typically, my Star Party gear consists of:

• Power/Wires box
• Telescope Box
• Mount Box
• Camera Box
• Accessories Box

All these boxes are not needed when my kit is setup, so what to do with it when it is not needed?  Well, a while back now, I raised my pier by 12 inches to see the southern horizon better.  It worked very well, but meant that I now needed a ladder to easily access the scopes.  Hmmm - could I kill two birds with one stone here?

The answer is yes.  I have now put a false floor into the observatory, 12 inches off the concrete.  I now have a virtually clear floor in the observatory, and a great storage space for all the boxes I've accumulated over the last few years.

Whilst I was at it, I also built myself a Mission Control Room in a third of Gini's shed - thanks darling! :)

You can see the latest photos here: Building of the South Common Observatory

Here are a couple of taster images: