Taking Apart The Observatory

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On June 2nd, 1996, work began to dismantle the Astronomical Society of Kansas City's Elmcrest Observatory located at Powell Gardens. The Observatory was located directly in the middle of what will soon be the Garden's new Visitor Center parking lot. Public star parties will continue at the Gardens, even with use of the building. Members will bring their own telescopes while the new observatory building is under construction at a new site on the property.

Work begins on a beautiful Sunday morning.

Vice-President Bob Haler works at removing a layer of silicon from the dome ring.

David Young continues the labor-intensive process.

Bob Haler has a close encounter with a wall.

Inspired by the movie "Twister" and President's Nick Reuss obsession with labeling places for observatory tools, a wall was "filled" with handy items.

Thunderstorms began building in the skies as the dome was prepared for lifting.

Nick Reuss watches from the roof as process starts.

With David at the controls, the lifting begins.

Secured by ropes to keep the dome from swinging in the high winds, the dome is slowly moved off the roof.

The dome is gently placed back on the ground.

Bob Haler and Tom Martinez stand amid the gutted interior of the observatory.

With the dome secured to the ground, it awaits transport to a holding area. The building awaits the bulldozer! Construction on the new observatory is expected to begin later this year.

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All Graphics/Photography/Text (C)1998 Vic & jen Winter / ICSTARS Astronomy

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