User's Guide to the Lick 36" Refracting Telescope

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Introduction
Dome
Telescope
Control Desk
Limits
Observing Hits

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Mt. Hamilton Homepage

Safety

Safety is the most important aspect of operating the 36" Refractor. Safety includes visitor safety, astronomer safety, and telescope/instrument safety. Visitor Safety The principle safety concerns for public visitors are tripping, falling, or getting crushed. Most visitors are not used to working in the dark with minimal lighting. This in conjunction with low railing heights, ladders, and steep staircases necessitate a thorough safety talk prior to observing. Astronomer Safety As with the public the astronomer(s) using the telescope need to be aware of the physical dangers of working in a dome at night. With operating the 36" there are a couple more safety issues. First, always check in with the Shane Techs before operating so that they know you are there. Second, always have a radio on your person while using the telescope. Third, the telescope is heavy and there are consequences to that weight. It weighs 25,000 pounds and must be treated with respect. Being as heavy as it is, it can get away from you if you don't pay attention to your momentum. This can lead to it crashing into the floor or worse an observer on the floor. One must alway pay attention to leverage points. It can be very tiring to use for a half night and nearly impossible to use by ones self the entire night if you are not smart about how you move the telescope around. Some hints are: Never use your back to move the telescope Keep your arms straight and use your legs and the elevator floor to move it when ever possible Use your body weight and leverage points to move the telescope and not your muscles Use the floor when ever possible to minimize small muscle movements Use the tangent arms to move the star if you can see it in the field The final safety issue to be aware of is the use of ladders. Many objects are not accessible without them. The big wood ladder requires help to move the telescope while standing on it and when you use the smaller ladders you should have a spotter whenever possible. Telescope/Instrument Safety There are a few principle concerns with keeping the 36" safe. This list is here only as a reminder and should be covered during a checkout. The big ones are: Collisions Rolling the telescope over Moisture Damage Lens Abrasion Floor Failure Railing Damage

Figure 1: The floor down in the proper stowed position Figure 2: Floor midway up (railing open) Figure 3: Floor up with the railing open Figure 4: Safety Strip (in yellow)

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Last modified: Wed Jul 7 16:11:02 PDT 2010