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Work Day Notes — Brower Observatory

Colin’s notes from July 24, 2016:

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The Brower Observatory is now in much better shape than before.  In the process of repairing some decaying sheathing, the entire North Corner was found to be unsound.

Looking back, it seemed like a cost savings to utilize old lumber, but it’s probable that it harbored insects and microorganisms that got a head start… like mushroom spawn.

Phil and Josh absorbed the task of removing the old studs, and designing a fix… far more construction than we had planned.  In the end, the corner is now very robust, sheathing and drip edge replaced, and ready for paint and a few minor trim board installations.  A later support fixture at that corner will be added to ensure full integrity.

The dome splice plate which arrived by mail (at noon) was installed by Jon who also installed the polyethylene spacers and bumpers which now allow the dome to rotate fully and easily. The dome slide which had once blown off years ago and was cracked, was also fixed with fiberglass, epoxy resin and an aluminum splice.

The pier, despite a huge concrete plug base 6 feet below ground, gradually tips a bit to the east, which shows up at the telescope deck by the removable floor pieces around the pier not fitting anymore.  George and Jon levered the pier back a couple of inches, installed a temporary brace and then compacted the earth surrounding the pier base.  When the brace was removed, the pier remained centered.  At some point this century, subsiding will cease.

Despite (or because of) the tasks taking far more work and materials than planned, the periodic threat of rain, and the heat of the day, we finished the core of the tasks as rain began. Photographs were taken, so there’s a record of the event, and photos can be added to the club’s observatory album.

There are several tasks that are still on the list, but they will be handled as opportunities open up, and the building will see another decade of use without too much concern.  It was fascinating to see how the project shifted from a list of probable tasks on paper to actual hands-on problem-solving and resolution.  It became very real, and called out the best in us.  Very satisfying.

Thanks to all members in the club for helping sustain all this.

Colin

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