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Fort Bend Astronomy Club

East Dome Improvements

Historical
Historical changes, milestones and improvements in the East Dome:
  • 1989 - Club raises $23,000 to insure East Dome built at new George Observatory.
  • May 1990 - HMNS loans FBAC 8" telescope for East Dome.
  • March 1991 - Club buys 10" Meade scope as a temporary until the 16" is delivered.
  • November 1991 - 10" Meade installation complete.
  • August 1993 - FBAC purchases 18" Newtonian from Loyd Overcash for $5000.
  • October 1993 - 18" Newtonian installed in East Dome.
  • December 1993 - Member Steve Dessens purchases old 10" Meade from ED.
  • March 1994 - New 80mm finder purchased for 18" Newtonian.
  • May 1994 - New raised floor completed in East Dome by Mike Morton.
  • September 1994 - Used PC purchased from Don Edwards for East Dome.
  • May 1995 - New heavier RA shaft and bearings for 18" Newtonian.
  • February 1996 - Club CookBook CCD camera completed by Keith Rivich.
  • February 1997 - New 20" RA gear ordered from OptiCraft.
  • March 1997 - Quadrant drive system and stepper motors ordered.
  • January 1998 - Problems noted with OptiCraft and Quadrant installations.
  • March 1999 - New Byers gear received to replace OptiCraft gear.
  • August 2001 - New Quadrant GoTo drive system operational.
  • February 2002 - East Dome Committee formed by President Keith Rivich.
  • May 2002 - First beta copy of new East Dome operators manual by Jim Ellis.
  • August 2002 - New computer donated by Calvin Embry installed in East Dome.
  • November 2002 - SBIG ST7 CCD camera purchased to replace the old Cookbook camera.
  • August 2004 - Quadrant 4 purchased thru donations by ED users but it has problems.
  • August 2004 - UPS for East Dome shutter donated by Joe Dellinger.
  • September 2004 - Dome rotation rollers replaced.
  • May 2005 - First Aid kit purchased and installed in East Dome.
  • May 2005 - Cynthia Gustava donated 17" computer monitor for East Dome.
  • July 2005 - Shutter rollers replaced on East Dome.
  • November 2005 - Foam skirt replaced around azimuth dome rollers.
  • April 2006 - RA pillow block and CamRol bearings replaced on fork mount.
  • April 2006 - Shutter rollers replaced again on East Dome.
  • February 2007 - Quadrant 4 back from AIM Controls and working. Failed again mid-year.
  • September 2007 - Club approves purchase of replacement drive for 18" in East Dome.
  • November 2007 - Computer donated by Mark Holdsworth of Netslyder and installed.
  • November 2007 - New scope cover built and installed.
  • November 2007 - Sidereal Technology servo drive and Argo Navis DSC ordered.
  • February 2008 - Sidereal Technology servo drive system installed and tested.
  • March 2008 - New data conduits installed and cabling run from back of telescope pier to PCs.
  • April 2008 - 15" LCD monitor for west side PC donated by Steve Clayworth.

Planned
Planned changes, improvements, and maintenance in the East Dome:
  • Replacement of wall paneling in dome.