I went to the Comanche Springs Astronomy Campus, sponsored by the Three Rivers Foundation (3RF) from March 23, 2022 through March 27, 2022.
My main purpose was to purchase a surplus 20-inch, f/5 telescope. I took my son's Ford van so I would have enough room to bring it home.
There had been a lot of construction projects started during the pandemic. This house was for Gerry Gardner, the new manager of the Campus. They wanted the manager to live on site, so Gerry lives in this new house.
This is the start of the new kitchen and outdoor dining area. Caty said they envision having weddings here and this would be the centerpiece of the wedding event.
The building is pegged and mortised. A nice way to build a lasting building.
There is to be a second steel building with a roll-off roof that will be erected here. The latger telescopes are housed in the roll-off sheds.
Made my usual 5 mile hile to the water marker.
This sign is confusing because beyond the sign is a bench to sit on (peeking out of the bush on the left side of the picture). There is also a game camers on the steel post seen to the left of the water marker. I pondered the meaning of this sign and am wondering if they do not want you to hike down the side of the mesa onto private property.
Did some observing on March 24, 2022. I used the existing 20-inch telescope.
A panaromic picture of the campus. Thje 6 cabins are on the left side of the picture. The old and new bunkhouses are next. The bathroom and shower facility is next. The new kitchen and outdoor dining area is next and the existing dome is on the right side.
Click the picture for a larger picture.
While I was here, they got the driveway put in for Gerry.
Gerry offered me the surplus 20-inch telescope for $4500. A good price but current market value. I was hoping for a substantial discount. So I did not bring the telescope home.
I did buy an older telescope mount that needs some attention. The price for this mount was substantially discounted from the new price so it was a good deal.
