Blog
We completed the assembly of the dome at Site #3 early this morning, and the paint crew went to work on it immediately. They finished priming the dome today, and will hopefully get it painted tomorrow. The crane is scheduled to arrive at SPM Monday morning, and we plan to have all three domes installed by the end of the day Monday.
Using the forklift to move one of the top shutter sections from the staging area near the control room to Site #3.
Installation of the lower shutter.
Completed dome after priming.
2017-07-15
#Enclosures
The painters got the inside of the enclosure at Site #2 primed today. Here is a photo.
2017-07-12
#Domes
We got back to work on the dome at Site #3. We built the roof and got the shutter tracks installed. Tomorrow we will try to get all of the braces installed inside. We had to leave the mountain twice today because of thunderstorms, so hopefully the weather is better tomorrow. Here is a photo of the dome at the end of the day today.
2017-07-12
#Domes
The painters finished painting the first dome today at Site #1. They were working on the dome at Site #2 as well, but I didn't make it there this afternoon to check out the progress. I am heading back to civilization tomorrow morning, back to SPM Monday afternoon to finish up dome #3.Here is the dome at Site #1 after painting.
2017-07-06
#Telescopes
The telescopes arrived a little past 9am local time. All three containers were safely offloaded, and nothing appears to be damaged.We began to unload some items in the afternoon. The primary mirrors for telescopes #1 and #3 are now stored at the 2m building near the coating chamber. Tomorrow we will unload the remaining mirrors and start moving the smaller boxed items closer to the telescope enclosures. There are also several parts that will be installed with the domes (azimuthal encoder and home switch, a hoist that hangs from the shutter frame, etc.).Photos below.First truck arriving at obse...
2017-07-04
#Telescopes
The three telescopes have finally cleared customs this afternoon. They will leave Tijuana early Monday morning and arrive at SPM late afternoon or early evening.
2017-07-01
#Telescopes
They will try again tomorrow. UNAM people are working on the snag.
2017-06-30
#Telescopes
We installed the gantry cranes, including the hoists in all three enclosures today. We welded the rails down to the main floor joists at Site #1, but we will do the welding at the other sites later. Photos below.
Gantry cranes for Sites #2 and #3 loaded onto flatbed.
Gantry crane being lifted to top of enclosure #3.
Gantry crane being lifted to top of enclosure #3.
Gantry crane being lifted to top of enclosure #2.
Gantry crane being lifted to top of enclosure #2.
Gantry crane being lifted to top of enclosure #2.
Gantry crane being lifted to top of enclosure #2.
Gantry cra...
2017-06-29
#Enclosures
The painting crew tarted today on the enclosure at Site #2. They spent most of the time setting up, but they got the pier painted today along with the lower portions of the sunshade columns, cross members, and sunshade girts. Here is a picture of the pier. It looks much nicer.
2017-06-28
#Enclosures
We finished the dome at Site #1 this afternoon. Everything is working well. Photos below.
Replacement shutter arriving at SPM.
Drilling hydraulic arm mounting holes on lower shutter.
Installation of lower shutter.
Installation of lower shutter.
Dome at Site #1 after completion.
2017-06-28
#Domes
The painting crew arrived at SPM this afternoon. They will begin work to paint the enclosures and domes tomorrow, starting at Site #2. We will have a meeting tomorrow morning to go over the schedule for completing the work.
2017-06-27
#Enclosures
All three telescopes have made it to San Diego, and they will be delivered to SPM this coming Thursday. Preparations will start tomorrow for a place near the control room to unload the shipping containers.
2017-06-27
#Telescopes