25 October |
Began preparations for arrival of MFG/Ratech crew next Monday.
Removed some of the cameras. Installed new webcam to image dome interior.
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 |
26 October |
Tarps arrived for protection of observing floor. More covering of telescopes
and removal of cameras.
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 |
27 October |
Removed remaining filters and cameras. Removed some of the
Reflectix insulation from inside dome, revealing old paint.
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 |
28 October |
More preparations. Removed dome shutter photoelectric guider sensor and remainder of
windscreen platform. Covered telescope optical benches. Also covered optical tables in
coude lab and other second floor equipment. Sealed a number of openings in the dome floor.
This afternoon we heard that MFG/Ratech will be delayed a week because a project they have in
Florida is taking longer than expected because of hurricane damage.
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 |
02 November |
Still on track for MFG/Ratech to arrive Monday. Testing has determined that the
paint inside the old dome has lead in it. Therefore, after the dome is cut up and
brought to shore, a special crew will have to remove or encapsulate the old paint.
This will not delay the dome replacement, fortunately.
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07 November |
The crew from Janus is setting up scaffolding to begin the removal of the old
lead-based paint from parts of the inside of the dome. The paint must be removed
from the places on the dome where cuts will be made. The lead-based paint on the
outside of the dome was removed in 1992 after the Landers - Big Bear earthquake,
but the paint remains on the inside.
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08 November |
The crew from Janus continues to remove the old paint from the areas where
cuts will be made.
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10 November |
Additional lead-based paint removal today.
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11 November |
MFG/Ratech has revised their schedule, and it now appears that the dome
replacement work will stretch into December. We will hold off on beginning
dome removal until we can obtain a variance on the winter outdoor construction
ban from the county.
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15 November |
We now expect the removal of the old dome to begin Thursday the 17th.
Meanwhile work continues on the new earthshine telescope dome.
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16 November |
The foundation for the earthshine dome is being poured today.
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