So what is "Code Blue" and what does it mean? It's no great secret that several years ago we had the mirror re-coated on the 31" Blue Beast at Warren Rupp Observatory, and within a few short weeks, portions of the coating began to fail. Well, it was guaranteed... But when we pulled the mirror and returned it? It slipped in the coating chamber and chipped the edge off our irreplaceable mirror! We were sick, folks...

Rather than take any more chances with what couldn't be replaced, we waited a couple of more years as we did our best to find another company that could take a mirror of this size, weight and composition. Thankfully, Bruce found one! Of course, being a non-profit organization also means we really couldn't afford to have it done, but thanks to the Fran and Warren Rupp Foundation, we received a grant for the 2009 year that enabled us to once again preserve this piece of observing history.

So what does this motley crew have to do with it? These are the fellows that showed up at the Observatory on February 20th to help with the gargantuan and nail-biting task of getting mirror out of the telescope safely, out of the cell safely, into the box safely, and put into the truck safely. While it might sound like an easy process... It isn't. The entire telescope has to be roped and tied to the dome supports, because once the weight is taken out of the scope? Whoopee!! Thar' she blows... But it isn't just matter of securing the telescope framework, either. The mirror cell must come out of the bottom of the telescope, then the cell must be lowered away from the mirror blank. All the while this is happening, every single person in the dome is intimately aware that if something happens? It can't be replaced. One boo-boo means the end of Big Blue.

While "scope surgery" was happening, Kim and I took plenty of pictures and stayed out of the guy's way. It was just one of those times when we did our best work by supplied homemade cookies and coffee, eh? It was really wonderful to see both old and new members working together side by side on this project, and spirits were very high. Sure... It was a nervous time here and there... But, it all worked out. We had a lot of laughter to go around and a lot of teasing. Why don't you take a look at the pictures and join in the fun??

Getting The Mirror Out...

The first set of pictures is the process of getting the mirror out of the telescope, into the packing crate and into transportation. While it sounds like a simple process, it isn't as easy as it may seem....

On the Road and the Re-Coating Process...

Once the mirror was crated, inside the transport and ready to fly - well, stuff didn't go quite so easy from there, either. We were sweating even being able to get up the Hill the day we took the mirror out because a big snowstorm was on the way. Fortunately, it missed the Observatory location - but Bruce and the mirror drove directly into it. Steely-eyed missle man? You betcha'. He made it through just fine and takin' pictures all the way. Have a look at the trip and the re-coating process!

Back Home and Re-installing the Primary and Secondary Mirror...

Within a couple of days, the entire process was done and Bruce and the mirror were home safely once again. Now comes the wait for enough hands to put everything back into place! All it took was a little bribing (sloppy joes and donuts) and once again we were ready. Even with a slightly different crew, the turn around time was absolutely awesome. Don't quote me on this, (cuz' i cleaned the clubhouse and stayed out of their way) but I'm sure it took less than an hour to put everything back and just a few minutes to have it collimated and ready to collect photons again.

The entire "Code Blue" project turned out absolutely amazing. During the process our club members managed to get our restroom repaired from the winter freeze and we've even gotten the winter accumulation cleared away and we're ready for our opening public night in just a week's time. How's that for Club cooperation?!

We would personally like to thank our Observatory Director - Bruce Scodova - for being so instrumental in coordinating everything and taking the time out of his busy work schedule to personally insure the safety, transport, coating and installation process. We'd also like to thank our first work crew, Dan Everly, Ron and Kim Balliett, Terry McQuistion, Mark Vanderaar, Tim and Seth Reaves, Robert Kocar, Dave Morhbacher, Keith Moore and John Boggs for your help. On the flip side? We'd also like to thank Ron Balliett and Dan Everly (who also repaired the restroom), Kim Balliett, Mark Vanderaar, Tim and Seth Reaves (and friend), Robert Kocar, Steve Carter and John Neumann for returning to the scene of the crime to make sure the end process went just as smoothly.

You guys rock!