Author Archives: Scott Donnell

The Dec 2017 issue of the Bulletin of the Astronomical Society of South Australia is available in the Member  Download section of the CSAS web page.  In this issue is an article by Stephen Duplock  on his experience in joining CSAS for the August solar eclipse.

Two weeks ago Tom Zimmerman, myself, and my brother Randy went down to Starry Meadows to continue work on the observatory deck.  In the first picture we have Tom, Matt Russell (already there for SSSS) and myself carefully determining the lengths of each of the platform supports to create a perfectly level deck.  This last Tuesday Tom and I went down again to install the remaining joists and the decking surface.  Next we’ll install the pier and after that the observatory building itself.  When that happens Tom and I will need additional help to install the dome.

Scott

in the member downloads section of the CSAS web page

Phase 2 of the observatory project at Starry Meadows was started on 5 Aug with Scott Donnell, Randy Donnell, and Tom Zimmerman spending the day installing the concrete foundations for the deck.  Also present was the observatory mascot and project supervisor Anna (aussie shepherd/border collie mix).

To ensure the concrete footers were properly placed, Tom constructed a set of risers that temporarily elevates the observatory deck a few feet off the ground – giving us working room to expand the holes as needed.  Using a plumb we positioned the forms and Randy and Scott mixed and poured concrete into them.  Tom followed after using the plumb to precisely position the anchor bolts into the concrete.

In a few weeks we’ll head back down to custom cut and install the 4×4 support posts and attach the leveled deck to the footers.  That will complete phase 2.  After that we’ll assemble the observatory on the deck in phase 3,  If all goes well we hope to have  the observatory ready for use by September Skies Stare Stare.

Scott

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…is available in the Member Downloads section

Our sister organization down under sent us their June and July issues of the Bulletin of Astronomical Society of South Australia.  You can find them in the Member Downloads section.

The April Bulletin of the ASSA is available in the Member Downloads section

We are full-up at our observing site at Glendo State Park and are no longer accepting registrations.  At one of the upcoming CSAS monthly meetings we will review activities and processes for the registered participants and offer suggestions for those of you who are not registered but wish to view the eclipse.

Scott

In the Members Download section of the CSAS web page

Joe Grida, President of the Astronomical Society of South Australia notes that on Feb 15 the ASSA celebrates its 125th anniversary.  You can find the Feb issue of the ASSA Bulletin in the Member Downloads section.

Scott Donnell
President, CSAS

Seasons Greetings Everyone!

Joe Grida, President of the Astronomical Society of South Australia sends his holiday greetings along with the January issue of the ASSA Bulletin (found in the member’s download section of the CSAS web page). They experienced the hottest Christmas day in 75 years in Adelaide with the temperature reaching 41.3 deg C!

Scott Donnell
President, CSAS

Due to a schedule conflict with the Space Foundation, we have moved our July monthly meeting one day to the right – FROM Tue Jul 26 TO Wed Jul 27. Meeting start time remains at 6:30 pm.

Relayed from Joe Grida, President of our sister organization ASSA in South Australia:
Hello all,

I’m pleased to report that our observatory at Stockport was spared by today’s fire only by metres. Our neighbour to the south, Pat Savage, reports that the observatory is fine. There are burn marks in his backyard. There was a building fire in the adjacent property to the west, but details of actual damage are at present sketchy.

David Bennett, our Vice-President, plans to visit the site tomorrow morning and will report back.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/premier-jay-weatherill-announces-loss-of-lives-from-deadly-sa-bushfires/story-fnl1ee8j-1227623145573