Bob Reynolds’ initial statement regarding TAAA 32” Telescope Project
“I’m pleased to announce that TAAA is in active discussions with a donor offering us a professional grade 32” cassegrain telescope, mount, and Ash Dome! As a result, a team composed of TAAA members along with manufacturer and donor representatives will be in Colorado in late June to disassemble, pack and transport the donation to storage sites in and around the CAC.
After competing this step TAAA began the process of planning the disposition, potential use, and housing of the telescope. It will open new possibilities for TAAA to service our local communities, academic and research institutions, as well as members. Stay tuned for more updates as we explore new astronomical horizons and opportunities!” (2023)
A team of 11 TAAA volunteers, at their own expense, worked to receive the telescope from the donor in Longmont, CO, disassemble the telescope, load it in trucks, drive it to Cochise County AZ, unload it and place it into safe storage in a member’s barn.
A TAAA construction team headed by Ed Foley was formed to attend to the details necessary to complete observatory design, construction and telescope installation. The team drew on the talent and enthusiasm of TAAA to make that happen. The 32 inch Project team included Larry Stepp for design and safety, Bob Rose for construction, Bob Reynolds for finance, Doug Summers for optics and Tom Melscheimer for building design and instrument assembly. An Advisory Panel of astronomy professionals and TAAA members was convened in August 2023 to consider the plans and review long term possibilities for this special telescope.
The telescope saw first light in November 2025. It was put to work in April 2026 with its first research runs by a collaboration between TAAA and Gila Community College. A college Astronomy Advanced Research class came to the site and utilized the instrument to observe binary stars. Using speckle interferometry the class measured known binaries from the Washington Double Star catalog to further refine their orbits and explored Gaia 2 parameter stars to determine if they were indeed binaries. Papers based on these observations are in the works.
- Phase 1 – Install the telescope in a roll off roof observatory in the state we received it. Train members in its use and get to know its capabilities. Employ the telescope in TAAA outreach programs including the Astronomy Camp program and double star observing programs.
- Phase 2 – Consider best use of the instrument for TAAA including potential optical configuration changes.
- Phase 3 – Upgrade the observatory and telescope controls to include remote operations
They story of the telescope reviewed in the September 2023 member meeting:
SEPTEMBER 2023 PROJECT SUMMARY VIDEO
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