Blog

The third and final telescope was shipped from DFM Enginieering, Inc. to the customs broker in San Diego on Friday June 23. It should arrive in San Diego Monday June 26, but I don't have any news as to when we can expect it to arrive at SPM. All three telescopes should arrive here at the same time. Here is a picture from DFM of the telescope container being loaded in their parking lot.                                                       ...

The dome at site #2 was completed today before lunch. We hung the bottom shutter, hooked up the hydraulics, and then tested the control electronics. The upper and lower shutters both function correctly, with the drive motors and limit switches passing inspection. We did not try to rotate the dome, but we tested the two azimuthal drive motors, and they both worked correctly. After lunch we went to work on the dome at Site #1. We got the roof on and the upper shutter tracks installed. This is what took us all day to do on Wednesday, so we seem to be picking up speed. Things went faster mostly b...

Today we sealed the upper shutter track with putty, and installed the lower shutter hydraulics, dome control electronics, upper shutter, and upper shutter drive motor and transmission. All that remains to finish is to install the lower shutter and then temporarily wire up the power to test the shutters and azimuthal drive motors. We planned to finish the dome today, but the local crew was eager to get working on the other domes, so we needed to get them started and help out on a couple tasks. The domes at Sites #1 and #3 are now assembled to the point we reached on our first day here, so dela...

We spent most of the day adding braces to the various parts of the dome. We also installed the slip rings to provide power to the motors on the dome while it rotates. We expect to finish the dome assembly by the end of the day tomorrow. Installation of the second "pipe brace," which strengthens the dome and helps keep it round.   Installation of the third pipe brace.   All of the pipe braces installed.   Installation of shutter track braces.   Slip rings installed inside dome skirt.   Top shutter seal (the black foam thing along the top of the shut...

Today we assembled the main structural components of the dome at Site #2. First we installed the dome leaves, which are the curved metal sheets that give the dome it's shape. We then installed the upper shutter tracks, which provide significant strength to the structure. We finished up by installing the pieces that hold the top shutter drive, as well as provide additional structural support.   First dome leaf being installed (view from atop scaffolding).   First five dome leaves installed.   Left half of dome roof completed.   Dome roof completed.   D...

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...

Today I arrived at SPM with Brandon Kauffold form Ash Dome. He will be here until the 29th, then will return on July 9. The goal this trip is to assemble two domes, and the second trip will be for the assembly of the third dome and installation of all three. We will start work early tomorrw morning at Site #2.

We set up this blog for people to easily keep track of the dome and telescope installation for TAOS II. I will be at SPM June 19 to August 17, and during this period we plan to install all three domes and do all of the heavy lifting to get the main telescope pieces in place. I will make a later trip with someone from DFM Engineering to install the optical assemblies.