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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