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!“
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.
DFM 32 inch Cassegrain safely in storage in Cochise Co. AZ awaiting installation at its new home at TAAA dark site.
After analysis of the donation with respect to our members and how we might also use it serving the community, it was decided to move forward with the telescope installation. The first steps will be to reassemble the telescope in a newly constructed roll-off roof observatory east of the Mooney Classroom building at TAAA’s CAC dark site.
A TAAA construction team headed by Ed Foley has been formed to attend to the details necessary to complete observatory design, construction and telescope installation. The team will be drawing on the talent and enthusiasm of TAAA to make that happen. The 32 inch Project team now includes 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 current plans and review long term possibilities for this special telescope.
- 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 progams.
- 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
The project in 2025 is well out of the ground. The 32 construction committee members Bob Rose and Larry Stepp are shown meeting with Randy Maddux the general contractor and Brad Cooper of Frame Up Now planning the next steps for the steel framework.
They story of the telescope reviewed in the September 2023 member meeting:
SEPTEMBER 2023 PROJECT SUMMARY VIDEO
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