001

SLAS member Bruce Grim built this 1/3 scale (and fully functional) model of the Big Scope to be installed in the Harmons Observatory at SPOC 2.  Note the doll which, to scale, is the size of a large child. 12 NOV 2000

002

Looking over the 1/3 scale model of the Big Scope.  18 NOV 2000

003

Bruce Grim and Siegfried Jachmann with the 1/3 scale model. 18 NOV 2000

004

SLAS member Siegfried Jachmann poses next to the 1/3 scale model of the Big Scope to be installed in the Harmons Observatory at SPOC 2.  Note the position of the eyepiece.  As the telescope utilizes a Springfield mount the eyepiece remains in the same place regardless of where the telescope is pointed. 27 NOV 2000

005

SLAS member Bruce Grim inside the tube of the Big Scope to be installed in the Harmons Observatory at SPOC 2.  22 DEC 2000

006

Bruce stands next to the new tube.  22 DEC 2000

007

Vaughn Parsons of Intermountain Optics and Bruce Grim beside the new tube.  22 DEC 2000

008

SLAS member Patrick Wiggins is dwarfed by the new tube. Patrick arrived to take this image shortly after Bruce Grim and Siegfried Jachmann delivered the tube which was donated by Caraustar in Salt Lake City.  22 DEC 2000

009

Part of the mount for Big Scope at Intermountain Optics.  28 APR 2001  Ron Ford image.

010

Siegfried Jachmann stands next to part of the mount for the Big Scope at Intermountain Optics.  28 APR 2001  Ron Ford image

011

Part of the mount for the Big Scope at Intermountain Optics.  28 APR 2001  Ron Ford image

012

Bruce Grim beside the RA and Dec assemblies for the Big Scope.  28 MAY 2001.

013

Part of the mount for the Big Scope being delivered to Bruce Grim's workshop.  05 JUN 2001. Image by Boyd McNeil.

014

Bruce Grim & grandson reposition the base of the Big Scope.  07 JUN 2001.

015

Bruce Grim & granddaughter with the base of the Big Scope.  26 JUN 2001.

016

Patrick Wiggins & Roger Butz secure the mount as Andy Bogdan, Ken Harris and Bruce Grim look on.  09 AUG 2001  McNeil photo

017

Roger Butz, Ken Harris (hidden) Andy Bogdan, Patrick Wiggins & Bruce Grim use a crane to install another part on the mount.  09 AUG 2001  McNeil photo

018

SLAS member Patricia McWhorter stands at the eyepiece position of the Big Scope.  Once completed the eyepiece will remain in this position no matter where the scope is pointed.  15 AUG 2001.

019

Bruce Grim checks the view through the "small" scope he installed on the mount to check out the mount's firmness (it is VERY firm).  Note that the OTA which will eventually be installed will be three times the diameter and twice the length of the one shown here.  22 AUG 2001.

020

Close up of the eyepiece and declination drive assembly.  22 AUG 2001.

021

Closer view of the declination drive.  22 AUG 2001.

022

Siegfried Jachmann, Bruce Grim and Chuck Hards examine the work Chuck has done to date on the tube.  05 SEP 2001.

023

Chuck Hards rolls out the tube (partially covered with body putty) for a better look.  05 SEP 2001.

024

Boyd McNeil gets a picture of the bottom end of the tube.  05 SEP 2001.

025

And here's the picture he got (that's Chuch Hards at the other end).  05 SEP 2001.  McNeil photo

026

Boyd McNeil, Bruce Grim, Siegfried Jachmann, Roger Butz and Chuck Hards with the mold that Chuck will use to form the tube's end covers.  05 SEP 2001.

027

Bruce's t-shirt says it all:  "Cosmic".  05 SEP 2001.

028

Chuck Hards' companion employee Brian Talbot poses in front of tube for scale. Secondary access hatch visible on right side of tube, output hole next to his shoulder.  16 OCT 2001  Chuck Hards image

029

Oblique view from front of tube.  16 OCT 2001  Chuck Hards image

030

Side view of tube.  16 OCT 2001  Chuck Hards image

031

Opposite side of tube showing hatch for tertiary mirror access.  16 OCT 2001  Chuck Hards image

032

View of tube interior from rear (main mirror) end, showing internal baffles/stiffeners, fiberglassed for weatherproofing and strength.  16 OCT 2001  Chuck Hards image

033

Tailpiece in mold.  Each bump is a recess for 4 cooling fans, three total.  16 OCT 2001  Chuck Hards image

034

Chuck Hards stands behind the tube which is now completely coated with a very smooth layer of fiberglass (dark color) and half of the gelcoat (white) has been applied.  24 OCT 2001

035

Chuck Hards holds one of the three vent fans that will be installed in the three holes visible in the tailpiece.  24 OCT 2001

036

Chuck Hards holds the nearly completed aperture cover.  The circular depression will eventually be removable to allow off-axis viewing.  24 OCT 2001

037

Big Scope tube cradle ready for painting.  08 JAN 2002

038

Patricia McWhorter admires the just primed tube cradle. 17 JAN 2002

039

Patrick Wiggins applies a second coat of primer to part of the Big Scope's declination assembly.  A second piece of the assembly awaits painting to the left. 20 JAN 2002  Patricia McWhorter image

040

Roger Butz and Bruce Grim load parts of the Big Scope for transport to SPOC 2. 01 FEB 2002

041

Bruce Grim and Roger Butz unload the cradle for the Big Scope. 01 FEB 2002

042

Stansbury Park Service Agency's Bob Shields and SLAS's Roger Butz and Bruce Grim guide the Big Scope mount onto the back hoe.  05 FEB 2002  McNeil image

043

Stansbury Park Service Agency's Bob Shields and SLAS's Bruce Grim look on as the Big Scope mount is lifted from Bruce's driveway.  SPSA's Colton Park is at the controls of the back hoe.  Note the bicycle tire being ingeniously used to protect the polar shaft gear.  05 FEB 2002  Ron Ford image

044

The Big Scope mount arrives at SPOC 2.  05 FEB 2002  McNeil image

045

The Big Scope mount being rolled into the observatory.  05 FEB 2002  McNeil image

046

The Big Scope mount is pushed into position as Roger Butz appears to shout commands from on high...  05 FEB 2002  McNeil image

047

Big Scope mount newly installed in SPOC 2 as seen from the northwest. 05 FEB 2002  Ron Ford image

048

Big Scope mount from the east. 05 FEB 2002  Ron Ford image

049

Roger Butz, Andy Bogdan, Bruce Grim, Ron Ford and Ken Harris pose with the newly installed mount.  05 FEB 2002  McNeil image

050

SLAS member Bruce Grim demonstrates how observers will look through the "Big Scope" once it is finished.  No matter where the scope is pointed the eyepiece will remain in the same position. 10 FEB 2002