Thursday May 6, 2021 I had the car all loaded. On Fridaym, I worked a half a day at work. My work location is on the way to the Comanche Springs Astronomy Campus, sponsored by the Three Rivers Foundation (3RF).
The car all packed. I didn't take as much stuff with me this time as I did on our trip in April.
This is the cottage we rented for the week. Same one as last time.
I drove straight from work and arrived here at 10 pm on Friday April 30. It was clear skies all the way to Childress, TX. Then there were thunderstorms in the area and it was raining off and on between Childress and 3RF.
The inside of the cottage we rented for the week. It is very nice and comfortable.
The farmer to the west was doing controlled burns on Saturday and Sunday to remove the underbrush. With binoculars, you could see the flames high above the trees over there.
A nice picture of the entrance to the Campus on May 1.
Mike Roos was at 3RF with me. He is putting together his wind protecion structure. It did keep the wind off his telescope while he observed. I use rocks to keep my charts from blowing around in the wind.
The 20" being stored inside the roll-off building. See the wheels and handles that are used to help move it around.
I made this ramp to help get the 20" telescope out of the roll-off shed and out into the open. There are wheels on it to help move it around. Once outside, the wheels can be taken off so you don't trip over them in the dark.
First night of observing was on May 2. I am going to use my laptop to help me identify objects in the eyepiece of the telescope.
This is the building with a roll-off roof that houses the 30" f/4.5 telescope. A very nice setup.
The 30" telescope getting ready for a night of observing.
The business end of the 30" f/4.5 telescope.
My chair is ready for me to sketch some ancient constellations. These are constellations from other cultures before the British established the current 88 constellations in the sky in the late 19th century.
Setup on May 4.
Almost sunset on May 5. I am setup. It is easier to setup in the light than after dark.
The 20" f/5 telescope we have been using all week.
Sunset May 5.
Late afternoon of May 6. I am setup for another night of observing.
Hiked to the Beaver Pond a couple of times. About a mile walk round trip.
This is the automated sewage treatment plant on the southwest side of the property. The main campus is beyond the top of this picture and you can see it is much higher than this area. This allows the sewage to flow downhill to this treatment plant.
There is still a lot of construction happening at the place. While we where there, they prepared these sidewalks for concrete.
A Cement Mixer carries 9 yards of concrete and has a gross weight of 24 tons. That is the limit allowed on roads and bridges in that part of Texas.
They poured the sidewalks on Friday after I left for home. Mike Roos said they only poured a small amount of what they had formed up.
I am ready to help...Put me in Coach.
Notice how I have my sunglasses on my hat. Apparently this is the proper way to wear these glass because I observed two other operators with their sunglasses this very way.
Car load and ready to leave 3RF Friday May 8. I arrived home about 8 pm that same day.
