A view up the stairs into the observatory dome. The peeling black paint is the first sign of damage. The wheel is used to open and close the slit in the dome. Dean Howarth, the physics teacher who initiated the contact, is standing at the top of the stairs.

A view of the rust in the dome and the mechanism to open and close the slit. The mechanism works, but there are some prawls which may or may not need work. Below and to the left is a hand rail for the stairs. Most of the rust damage is at the bottom of the dome, as shown in the photo. It appears that water has blown in and has puddled.

Another view of the inside of the dome, opposite from the slit, showing more rust and damage to the paint. The dome does not now rotate. There is a sheet metal apron which must be removed in order to access the wheels and the motor.

A view of the slit, looking upward. The slit is supposed to be closed with two C-clamps, but this was not done during the year of construction, so the wind and rain came in.

Next