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HLF Telescope Domes Project

A growing collection of images showing progress with the Telescopes and Telescope Domes restoration project is available on the Armagh Observatory web-site (see star.arm.ac.uk/history/Domes/). The project has been progressed satisfactorily and close to its original budget. The work on the main building, especially that necessary to refurbish the windows of the main Observatory and related alterations, caused significant upheaval and disruption for every member of staff working in the Observatory, who are to be commended on the way they maintained a high level of scientific output despite often difficult working conditions and the presence of builders and painters on site.

Several key points are:

1. All the windows of the main building have been restored to full working order. The original fabric has been retained where possible, but where replacement was necessary it has been strictly in accordance with the original design.

2. The 1827 Dome has undergone complete restoration. Although the original dome structure had distorted due to decay of some important structural elements, it has now been rebuilt and is again fully operational. The wooden substructure of the 1827 Dome has been completely rebuilt using as much of the original structure as possible. The shutter has been renovated and is now in full working order, thereby allowing the dome to be opened for the first time in many years (probably since the Second World War). The original cast-iron band around the base of the revolving structure has been replaced with stainless steel, and the oak wall plate rebuilt and the castors restored. The outer copper skin of the dome has been replaced with new pre-patinated copper sheeting. The Observatory wishes to use this opportunity to compliment the skilled craftsmen involved, who all took a keen interest in this unusual and demanding project.

   The Sinden Optical Company has made considerable progress with the restoration of the 1835 Grubb 15-inch reflector. The optics are complete and the new iron tube installed on the original mounting. The original mirror cell posed some problems which have now been overcome without any modification of the original fabric. New brass rack-mounts have been made to hold the Newtonian and Cassegrain eyepieces. and the telescope will be installed in the 1827 Dome early in 2004.

   Figure 12: The Grubb 15-inch Reflector under restoration at the Sinden Optical Company, Newcastle upon Tyne. David Sinden in the foreground. Image courtesy of the Sinden Optical Company.

   

3. The roof of the Robinson Memorial Dome has been coated with a proprietary material `Kemporal', whilst its walls have been reclad with Oregon Pine and a replacement floor laid with pitch pine salvaged from a building in England. A large display window has been inserted in the east wall so that the general public can view the 10-inch Grubb telescope without entering the Dome, and interior lighting has been installed to allow the instrument to be seen through the specially constructed viewing panel. The restoration of the building will be completed by new access steps to the North side.

   The new lens for the 10-inch Grubb Refractor is largely finished and awaits the manufacture of a new iron cell. Erection of the restored telescope was completed early in 2004, and it is now ready to receive its new optics.

4. The new 6-metre Calver Dome has been completed with a computer-controlled rotating dome constructed in the USA by `Observadome Inc'. The outer skin has been fitted and the windows and doors installed.

5. The Sinden Optical Company has supplied a new primary mirror for the 15-inch Grubb Reflector and a new objective lens for the 10-inch Grubb Refractor. The original 18-inch Calver mirror has also had to be replaced.