"The historically significant, 57-foot-long Great Refractor telescope near San Jose is in serious danger, after 110 mile-per-hour winds ripped a steel crescent off the Lick Observatory's roof, and more storms are on the way. In the wee early hours of Christmas Day, Mount Hamilton's Lick Observatory in Santa Clara County was battered by 110 mile-per-hour winds that blew off one its dome's sliding steel crescents that separate and open the roof for the telescope."
"That historically significant telescope was critical to modern astronomy: built in 1888, previously the largest lens telescope in the world, and was famously used to discover Jupiter's fifth moon (after Galileo had discovered the first four 300 years prior). The Great Refractor is still an excellent functioning telescope, and a popular visitor attraction. Except it's not available to visitors right now, Here's what Lick Observatory looks like now."
"We are pleased to report the historic 36-inch refractor telescope dome rotates correctly and the remaining dome shutter is intact and moves properly, the observatory said on Facebook. Lick Observatory staff and contractors have been working diligently to secure the facility in advance of the incoming storm. To ensure no further damage occurs, they have been patching the damage to the historic Main Building roof and creating a water catcher/funneling device in the 36-inch telescope dome."
110 mph winds ripped a steel crescent from the Lick Observatory dome, exposing the 57-foot Great Refractor. Built in 1888, the telescope was previously the world's largest lens instrument and helped discover Jupiter's fifth moon; it remains functional and popular with visitors. The Great Refractor is currently covered in black plastic tarps and was not damaged by the Christmas storm, but additional storms forecast for New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, and following days could cause water-related harm. Lenses and electrical equipment are vulnerable to moisture. Staff and contractors have patched the historic Main Building roof, created a water catcher/funneling device for the 36-inch dome, and confirmed that the 36-inch dome rotates correctly and the remaining shutter moves properly.
Read at sfist.com
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