Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site amdahl.UUCP Path: utzoo!decvax!decwrl!sun!amdahl!canopus From: canopus@amdahl.UUCP (Alpha Carinae) Newsgroups: net.astro Subject: Fremont Peak Observatory Update Message-ID: <2179@amdahl.UUCP> Date: Fri, 1-Nov-85 11:46:05 EST Article-I.D.: amdahl.2179 Posted: Fri Nov 1 11:46:05 1985 Date-Received: Sun, 3-Nov-85 03:52:49 EST Distribution: na Organization: RA: 6h 22m 30s; Dec: -52d 36m Lines: 93 Here is the latest information on Fremont Peak Observatory. For those who haven't seen my previous postings, the Fremont Peak Observatory Association was formed last January by a group of local amateur astronomers, whose goal is to build and operate an amateur-run observatory at California's Fremont Peak State Park. For further information, contact me at one of the addresses specified at the end of this article. PROGRESS REPORT 1. Our contract with the State of California has been approved. 2. The detailed architectural drawings are complete, and have been turned over to the State of California for final approval. 3. Association member Charlie Carlson has volunteered his services to be our general contractor for the building project. 4. We now have the funds necessary to purchase the needed materials for the building. 5. The 30" telescope's components are basically complete. It just needs to be set up and "debugged". 6. The ground has been cleared and staked out at the observing site. OBSERVATORY STATUS The 30" Observatory building consists of two rooms, each 20' X 20' on a side. The observing room has a sloped roll-off roof with a skylight to allow natural lighting in the daytime. The adjacent meeting room can serve as a lecture hall, a place to "warm up", etc. Our initial plans did not call for the second room; the State of California strongly recommended it. The building is supported on concrete piers, since it is a temporary structure without a permanent foundation. It is surrounded on three sides by a wooden deck; one side has a ramp for handicapped access. The current issue of the FREMONT PEAK OBSERVER (our official publication) has a couple of drawings depicting the Observatory. GROUNDBREAKING Official ground-breaking for the 30" Observatory will be taking place fairly soon. The date can't be set until we have final State approval of our detailed architectural drawings. (Approval is expected within four weeks). The Association's annual general membership meeting will be scheduled to coincide with the groundbreaking date. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - NOTE: Those outside of the S.F. Bay Area may skip the COMET HALLEY section. COMET HALLEY Our original, somewhat overly ambitious plan was to have the 30" scope up and running in time for Comet Halley observing this November. However, do not despair! We (the Association) own several smaller, more portable intruments, which will be set up to view the comet (weather permitting) on the following Saturday evenings at Fremont Peak State Park: - November 16, 1985 - December 7, 1985 - December 14, 1985 - January 11, 1986 FOR MORE INFORMATION... If you wish more information on the Fremont Peak Observatory Association, please contact Frank Dibbell at either 408-746-6493 (work) 408-735-9597 (home) -or- 710 Georgia Avenue Sunnyvale, CA 94086 -or- ...!{ihnp4,cbosgd,sun}!amdahl!canopus -- Frank Dibbell (408-746-6493) ...!{ihnp4,cbosgd,sun}!amdahl!canopus Amdahl Corporation, Sunnyvale CA [This is the obligatory disclaimer..]