This morning we began assembly of the dome at Site #2. The first step was to assemble the base plate on top of the structure and mark out the mounting holes. We then reassembled the base plate on a platform next to the enclosure. After getting it level, we installed the dome azimuth track. The main structure of the dome sits on this track so it can rotate. We then installed a skirt on top of the track, and raised the scaffolding required for finishing the assembly.

 

Crane lifting the base plate pieces to the top of the enclosure.

 

Base plate under assembly on top of ring beam.

 

Base plate fully assembled.

 

Measuring diameter to ensure base plate assembly is round.

 

Measuring diameter to ensure base plate assembly is round.

 

Measuring diameter to ensure base plate assembly is round.

 

Drilling holes in base plate, marking bolt locations on ring beam.

 

Base plate reassembled on platform next to enclosure.

 

Welding together to dome track. This is the part that rotates on the rollers attached to the base plate.

 

Grinding down the final weld on the dome track.

 

Attaching first piece of the dome skirt onto the dome track.

 

Dome skirt mostly complete. Dome gear ring (for driving dome rotation) being assembled inside dome skirt.

 

Dome skirt completed. Scaffolding assembled for net steps.