Trip to Mount Wilson (paid!)

Went down to LA to repair Charles Townes' telescopes. After a long day of heavy labor, we snuck into the 100" telescope. I couldn't get a good shot of the telescope itself but you can see it and read more about it here:

http://www.mtwilson.edu/

HAHA, hooker telescope. Shut up.

Anyway, it's cool to see the mix of old, precision wood and metalworking a la Jules Verne.

80" and Sun telescope

100" telescope

Primary mirror with cover

Our telescope #1 with open canopy

Various optics under primary mirror

Inside the 100" Hooker Telescope

Dome rails and rollers.

old dome rollers

Polishing wheel use to smooth rails.

main telescope tilt drive gears

Clock mech. speed control

Clock mech. drive gears

Old electrical control system.

Power relays

Crane controls

Old sights and controls

A peek under the 100" telescope

Old controls

100" mirror crane holder

Closer shot, the glass is made of recycled french wine bottles, hence the bubbles and color.

Just a little bit of LA