This project made possible by the donation of this research grade telescope to TAAA and the generous donations to organization by TAAA members, the public interested in our mission, and the manufacturer of the telescope DFM Engineering Inc of Longmont, CO. The DFM company produces instruments used at professional observatories and universities worldwide.
In June 2023 a group of TAAA members traveled to the offices of the donor in Colorado to retrieve the telescope. With the help of the Melscheimer family, the telescope was disassembled and loaded for transport. The TAAA members drove it to its temporary home in Cochise Co. Arizona and stored it until its observatory is ready.
A building team was assembled to manage the design and construction of an observatory to house the instrument. In September 2024 a contract was awarded for the construction and work began at the Chiricahua Astronomy Complex, the TAAA Eastern Dark Site.
