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Wycombe Astronomical Society has received an award from the National Lottery for refurbishments to the Society's Chiltern Observatory. The money has been invested in a new dome for the observatory to replace the current aging dome (below).

The previous dome suffered from problems with its shutter and rotation systems. The replacement will elimate these problems and provide an advanced solution to better complement the Society's main telescope.

Above: The old dome was removed on 17th July 2004 - Observatory officer Chris Rowland said "The dome came off very easily, a couple of us got on the roof, picked it up and passed it down to people on the ground. The roof was a bit more difficult, It was well made, there was a lot of roofing felt to get through and the roof was held on with an astonishing number of large nails, still it succumed to a large crowbar and sledge hammer."

Above: The old dome was removed on 17th July 2004 - Observatory officer Chris Rowland said "The dome came off very easily, a couple of us got on the roof, picked it up and passed it down to people on the ground. The roof was a bit more difficult, It was well made, there was a lot of roofing felt to get through and the roof was held on with an astonishing number of large nails, still it succumed to a large crowbar and sledge hammer."

Above: The observatory without a roof.

Above: The new dome arrives on the morning of Saturday 24th July, 2004.

Above: AstronomyDome engineers and WAS members unpack the dome.

Above: WAS members ready for action. The Barbecue is almost ready for cooking lunch!

Above: The roof supports go on first.

Above: The first roof support in place. The alarm siren can be seen on the exterior.

Above: The dome is shipped in two segments. The first is lifted from the trailer...

Above: ...and into place on the roof of the observatory.

Above: The second segment is carried into place.

Above: Lifting the second segment onto the roof.

Above: Looking more like an observatory again.

Above: The slit is installed. It opens sideways.

Above: Almost finished now.

Above: Jackie Harris (WAS Secretary) toasts the new dome!

Above: The walls of the observatory are repainted a few weeks later - with grey undercoat...

Above: ...and the first of two top coats.

Above: The stalwart dome painters!

Above: The painting is finished.

The observatory houses a Meade 10-inch LX200 Schmidt-Cassegrain. The Chiltern Observatory was opened in 1997 by Heather Couper and is available for use by both Society and members of the public as a means of educating people about the wonders of the night sky. More details above the WAS observatory.

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