Conceptual Facility

This page shows a concept of what a potential new facility to house the telescope might look like.  We are still in the process of evaluating potential sites, and refining the criteria with which an actual facility will be constructed.  Without doubt, the concept will undergo various adjustments of one sort or another.

Still, this model presents many of the elements that are essential for effective operation of a research-quality astronomical instrument such as the 0.8-meter telescope.

It is also quite possible that any facility for the telescope will be built in stages; the domed housing first, and followed by (at some later time) an adjoining control and presentation area.

Below are some pictures depicting various views derived from the model, as well as brief explanations.

This view shows the conceptual facility from the southeast. The telescope is housed in the cylindrical structure with the hemispheric domed roof. The attached auxiliary structure provides space for telescope control and public presentations.

The main entrance to the observatory is at ground level, and will provide easy access for all visitors.

This cutaway view shows the auxiliary space which is attached to the main dome structure. From the main door at the lower right, a visitor enters a large public meeting and presentation room. Directly ahead is the entrance to the dome; to the left are spaces for observatory control and facility service.

Within the public gathering room, visitors will be entreated to discussions and presentations of various astronomical topics. Models and poster-size imagery around the room will invite self-directed explorations. Large-format plasma monitors will be used in the presentations and will also display live video through the telescope.

The control room contains the computers, motor systems, and instrument control that will direct the real-time operation of the telescope and its auxiliary systems. This room need not be kept at the same temperature as the telescope; thus, operators will be able to work in relatively comfortable conditions.

The observing deck will accommodate approximately 24 visitors. Optical equipment, cameras, and other components used at the telescope are kept in a cabinet on the deck. An operator’s console will allow local control of the telescope at the eyepiece.

This view shows the telescope and observing deck with the domed roof hidden. The observing deck is accessed by a flight of steps that wind around the interior of the cylindrical housing.

This view shows the telescope with the domed roof and observing deck hidden. The area beneath the observing deck provides space for equipment storage, tools, parts, and a small workshop needed for daily maintenance of the telescope and its auxiliary systems.