The 1997 Bog Cleanup Weekend
by Norm Folkers, NYAA Secretrary
The BOG Weekend came off as planned on Saturday, May 24th.
Despite a late
start most of the planned tasks were completed! Thanks to Cliff Newman and
his wife for helping out. The rest of the crew consisted of Danny Driscoll,
Rick McWatters, Andreas Gada and myself. (Where were the rest of you??) The
dome has now been sanded and painted white using nearly three litres of
epoxy based paint to cover the fibreglass. The painting was relatively easy,
while the sanding was the real chore. Fortunately, Cliff has much experience
with fibreglass boat hulls. The observatory was given a thorough cleaning,
including cleaning under the carpet while we re installed it using only
staples instead of carpet strips (that made the floor bumpy). It's a
definite improvement. The scope's 5V and 12V power cables are now strung
below the floor so that tripping over the wire is eliminated. The dome's
toilet seat (top section of the slit) can now be opened and closed by one
person. It still requires a little "fine tuning" but the basics now work.
There are now a number of hooks in place around the inside of the dome to
hold down the dome during storms. As a result Andreas can now take his
clamps back! The dome's wheels have been greased/oiled but it's still a good
effort to rotate the dome. A work surface and storage unit, mounted on
casters, was built to give observers a convenient place to use their
accessories, charts, papers eyepieces etc. Lower shelves are for storage.
Please note there's also a log book now, please use it to let everyone know
who's using the facility. Your critical comments of shortcomings and ideas
for improvements may also be recorded here. In short, please make use of the
logbook!
A goose neck lamp is available for normal lighting when setting up and
closing down. An old clock radio provides time, just don't expect to get any
use out of the radio part unless someone can figure out why the volume dial
does nothing. But at least we have time! The scope's dew control system is
now working. There are two sets of heaters, one for when the scope is not
used and another when in use. The two sets of star charts, that were in the
warm up hut are now in the observatory. Maybe we'll get more use from them.
Note: 1950 co-ordinates though. The lock on the door has been oiled and a
cover is now in place to help keep moisture off. The warm up hut and the
White 12" scope's observatory were given a cleaning.
The three Nagler Plsssl eyepieces have not yet arrived. When they do, you'll
not need to bring your own, but of course your own will give you even more
options, besides being better! We also had look at the third (original RASC)
observatory. It's deteriorating fast. Anyone have any ideas for its use? The
only thing I can think of is that the rails of the roll off roof might be
used in another structure. Your suggestions are invited. So, please make an
effort to use the facilities, use the logbook and generally communicate with
other members of the club to help make these facilities a pleasure to use in
the pursuit of your own activities.
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