Lick Observatory's damaged telescope dome still open to elements as another rainstorm approaches

"After Santa delivered big trouble to Lick Observatory the iconic astronomy complex atop Mount Hamilton east of San Jose where ferocious winds early Christmas morning blasted open the steel dome sheltering a historic telescope crews are still scrambling to protect the instrument and sensitive equipment from rain. The Great Refractor telescope, which was built in the 1880s, helped shape modern astronomy, and still draws thousands of visitors each year."

"But officials, observatory staff and contractor crews have been racing to come up with a plan to patch the opening, 4 to 8 feet wide, left by the missing door, to prevent more rain from hitting the telescope, or damaging electrical equipment and the laminated-wood floor inside the dome. We finalized our design idea for how to close up the slit this morning, Lick Observatory site superintendent Jamey Eriksen said Friday afternoon."

A Christmas Day storm produced winds up to 110 mph at the top of Mount Hamilton, blowing a 60-foot crescent steel door off the Lick Observatory dome. The door landed on an adjoining building, breaking windows and splintering attic beams. The Great Refractor telescope, built in the 1880s, was exposed and received rain before crews wrapped it in black tarps; the instrument is believed undamaged. Officials, observatory staff and contractors are preparing a custom patch to seal a 4-to-8-foot slit using a ladder-like wooden frame clamped to a lip, plywood panels, and waterproofing. Work will begin when weather allows, with supplies staged and a Monday or Tuesday start targeted.

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