The work to bring the Monkton Combe School Observatory back into use is underway. The School is organising the repair of the roof and scaffolding is up and materials purchased. The tarpaulin is covering the now enlarged hole in the roof as work has progressed despite the rain.
Whilst the structure of the observatory is being repaired, a few telescope components in need of repair have been removed and cleaned.
It also allows a few damaged or missing parts to get the once over. The brass focuser drawtube needs a new rack but we don’t have the original to copy so we’re making up designs on a 3D printer and seeing how they fit before we commission someone to make them up in brass.
The objective lens has been removed and is now near Hanwell Castle being dismantled and cleaned by Christopher Taylor, Director of the Community Observatory there.