Observatory
Removal from Rattlesnake Mountain
We began the removal process in the latter part of May 2009. Much of the work at this time involved the removal of the ancillary equipment--the computers and other electronics, star atlases, optical equipment, and bookcases. We also removed the drive motor system, most of the hand and power tools, our small refrigerator, and we cleared out the storage area underneath the observing platform.
Also during this time the electrical, telephone, and computer network services to the observatory were shut down.
The major work--involving the telescope itself, the mount, and the domed facility in which it was housed--took place the week of 8-12 June 2009.
The illustration below shows the telescope and its essential components as it appeared prior to disassembly.
Details of the removal can be found in the pages that follow.