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Construction site is an ice-filled crater

Observatory construction site
Observatory construction slowed by ground frost.

Some of the reinforcing steel is in place. This will anchor the concrete base to the basement rock. Thick ice has filled the crater all winter. Temperatures are on the increase, allowing the concrete work to commence soon. Half a cubic meter of concrete will form the base of the massive steel pier of the telescope mount. The base plate of the pier is 50 cm in diameter and 4 cm thick. Ten expansion bolts secure the base plate to the concrete base. The observatory building and floor will not be in direct contact with the concrete base, thus minimizing the transfer of vibration to the telescope.