Observatory Security

Our club is trying to restore an old 1920's domed observatory and scope for a local school. The observatory will reside on school property in a open area within the town. The school officials are concerned with vandalism to the structure. They may not approve the project based on this issue. We are going to install two "GlareBuster" lights on the outside. These will be switched off during viewing sessions. We are thinking about installing a security system that is triggered when the door opens. This would only scare vandals from entering the observatory. Any thoughts on ways to relieve their concerns?


Thanks and clear skies,

Tim Hornbeck

Unfortuneatley you can't stop every assault, but the more people or students involved the less the observatory chance for being a target. Of coarse an 8 foot fence topped with razor wire and a couple of Dobbermans wouldn't hurt

We had an open viewing session in the school parking lot tonight. We had an 8" and 10" Dob. About 15 students and 3 parents showed up. They did not know about the observatory project until we told them the details. They were really excited.

We viewed Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury, M44, M42, M36, Castor(double), Mizar/Alcor, & Betelguese.

Hopefully they will sell the observatory idea in school tomorrow.

Clear skies,

Tim Hornbeck

I'd suggest those lights on the outside be used with motion detectors. That way they come on only if somebody is around. If the lights are on when they should not be, people may notice. If they are always on, then people won't think anything special is happening (like vandalism). And besides, just because they are "Glarebusters" does not mean they should be on at night. The Glarebusting features reduce light pollution, but it is still there.

Alex

One more thuoght Tim. Sometimes, you just have to take a chance. I mean, Why build a school when you know some students will fail? Or why build a bank when there's a chance it will be robbed? I think the good things that will come out of this will always out weigh the what ifs.