GMARS Site Development Activities - 2006
GMARS
Activities 2005
GMARS
Activities 2004
May 20, 2006
In
the most ambitious concrete pouring operation ever at GMARS, RAS volunteers
constructed three new telescope pads and an observatory foundation on
the weekend of May 20th. The concrete forming work also included three
telescope piers, three door steps at existing observatories, and two
outrigger pads. Almost nine cubic yards — 243 cubic feet —
of concrete was poured in place.
This remarkable
production would not have been possible without the efforts of some
very hard working volunteers. Thanks go to Mark Melnyk, Dan Coley, Alex
McConahay, Bruce Lakin, Bob Stephens, Alson Wong, Charlie Knapke, Richard
DeBus, Vincent Fesunoff, Glenn Malcolm and Smokey Yokum. We owe a special
debt of gratitude to Larry Salazar, who once again lent his considerable
experience and power tools to the concrete finishing effort.
From a technical
standpoint, there were a couple interesting “firsts” at
this work party: This was the first time we every attempted to pour
a telescope pier and a pad at the same time (it seemed to work out reasonably
well); this was also the first time we poured more than one telescope
pier in a day.
Between
bad weather, eclipse travel, and other factors, we are a little behind
schedule on the construction of the current set of telescope pads. Although
it is getting pretty warm, we still hope to get a few more pads poured
before the hot summer sun forces us to finish the work in the fall.
Ralph Megna
GMARS “Station Master”
February 18, 2006
We
had a great turnout of volunteers for the 3Q work party at GMARS this
past weekend. With the large number of able hands we were able to start
AND essentially finish the electrical outlet system for the seven new
telescope pads to be constructed this spring. A bush that would have
interfered with two of the pads was also removed and the ground leveled.
At future work parties — probably in March -- the concrete forms
for some of the pads will be put in place.
While there
were lots of strong backs around, we took a few minutes to lift the
Meade 14-inch RCX400 onto its pier in Observatory #5.
Additional
refinements were also made to the Dobhouse, the new home on the observing
field for the club’s 22-inch scope, Capella.
Although
the weather had been fickle all day long, the early evening hours delivered
dark skies with clear, if unsteady, views of the winter sky. Brrrrr...
it was cold, though.
Thanks to
all who made the trip and contributed to the improvements at GMARS!
Ralph Megna
GMARS “Station Master”
|
