Hodgson Observatory

*Saturday August 16 2008* We once again met for day 11 on the construction of the Astronomy building. We had several projects to get done prior to the SD star party. We wanted to finish the electrical for initial inspection and get the plumbing done for the main bathroom. Also the dirt work from the initial concrete pour left the ground around the building in need of landscaping. We also wanted to get the front of the building in finished shape. Work proceed with three groups of people working on the different projects. At the end of the day all goals were met with a minor exception of a water line that got broken and was leaking. We will repair it next weekend. Another day of great accomplishments. We wrapped up at 4:30 pm as we had a program to put on at Palisades State Park.

At 8:00pm At Palisades State Park we had a turn out of over 145 people for our Constellation tour and viewing through our telescopes. Here is a shot I took of what they got to see of the Moon.

*Wednesday Aug 20 2008* Dick and I put in an extra day of work to get some of the tedious work done with the trim on the building. We also finished shimming in the doors and put in the locks. The building is now secure. We also dug in and leveled the paver’s at the front of the building so it wouldn’t interfere with work on Saturday. We then got to work on trimming the windows and 1/4 round under the sofets. We concluded our work at 4:00pm very satisfied with what we got completed.

* Star Date 8/22/2008 /9:00 am* As Pharaoh of construction I incorporated slave Dick again to assist me in some more tedious work. We finished the trim work on the sofets and south wall trim. We then caulked all windows and doors to fully weather proof the building. We ran out of caulk and proceeded to installing the lighting in the building. This is important to the finishing of the building for the season. After an excellent lunch we wired in and tested the electrical system and lights. A well done day!

*Saturday July 12 2008* Construction resumed again after our July 4 th holiday break. This was our 7th day of construction. Our goal for the day was to get the fascia boards, drip edges and roof shingled. It was cool and cloudy for most of the morning. The fascia boards and drip edges were tedious work. We finally got to shingling around Noon. With two nailers going the shingle job went fairly fast. Goal reached at 5:00pm. Boy were we a tired bunch of people! Next weekend we plan to get the siding on the building.

*Saturday 7/19/08* We continued with day 8 on the Astronomy Education Building. The weather was hot and very humid. We first had to install the last west wall window and the bathroom windows. Tedious work framing windows. Broke for lunch after the window framing. After lunch we proceeded with the siding. We were moving along well when we got a phone call telling us about approaching thunderstorms. We packed up and installed the doors to make the building weather tight.

*Saturday July 26 2008* We once again proceed with construction on the new building. It was rainy and blustery for the morning so we worked inside, sheltered from the rain. A lot of the electrical work was accomplished. Also the bathromm insulation and vapor barrier was installed. The rain broke around 10 am and we broke up in to two crews. One crew continued on the inside amenities and the other crew went out side to finish the siding of the east wall and the north and south peaks. A lot was accomplished on the 9th day of construction.

Link to Part 4: "http://www.hodgsonobservatory.org/?p=334

*Saturday June 14th 2008* Construction Continued on the Astronomy education building. Our goal for the day was to raise all the roof trusses. Construction began at 9:00 am and went very smoothly. By lunch time half the trusses were installed. After lunch we finished the rest of the trusses and concluded work at 4:00 pm. Next week we plan on sheeting the roof.

*Saturday June 21 2008* Weather was beautiful for our 5th day of construction. Our goal was to get the roof sheeted. After finishing boxing in the corners of the roof we proceeded with the roof. We were glad to have some extra hands show up for the rigorous job ahead of us. Work went very smoothly with the exception of one warped truss that gave us a problem. Some fancy cutting put that behind us. Work wrapped up at 4:00pm. Another day of work well done! Next Saturday we plan on putting on the roof’s steel sheeting.

*June 28 2008* We all gathered again for day 6 of construction on the Astronomy Education Building. Due to very high and gusty winds, we decided to put off doing the roof sheeting. We felt better being on the ground rather than trying to hang on to to steel sails! We decided to finish the end roof gables and install the windows. Work went smoothly again and we got all four of the main windows in. Rain fell upon us in the late afternoon so we shut down for the day. There will be no work over the July 4th weekend to allow a break for our club members and to also enjoy a new Moon weekend.

Link to Part 3: "http://www.hodgsonobservatory.org/?p=291

*On May 24 2008* the SEAC began the raising of the astronomy education building at the Hodgson Observatory. The weather was quite blustery with high winds coming from the East between 20 and 30 MPH. The morning began quite cool and warmed into the mid 60′s by noon. Due to the winds and very soggy soil conditions from rains the night before, we were only able to frame three walls. The walls were left laying on the concrete pad as the winds were quite high at quiting time. Good progress was achieved though on the first day.

*May 25 2008* and the second day of the build commenced. Weather was very humid and windy again. Things moved well though with a wall going up about every hour and a half. We broke for lunch after all four walls were up and staked. After lunch we started sheathing the west wall. We shut down construction around 3:30pm as most were tired from the last two days of hard labor. All agreed that it was a job well done. After checking square on the diagonal part of the builbing we found that it was within 1/8″ of square! Excellent! We were all very pleased with our work.

*May 30 7:30 am*. I just returned from a site inspection after heavy rain and high winds in excess of 60 mph last night. I am glad to report that I could find no damage to any of the buildings on site. The new construction held up to the high winds, however the heavy rain has made the site to muddy to continue with the sheathing. We will have to cancel the construction planed for Sat May 31 2008. The dirt work around the slab is just to soaked to walk on. Also the road coming in from the North is impassible. The alternate route from the East and South are marginal at best.

*Saturday June 7 2008*. The weather was co-operating with us and we had a good start to the day. Our plan was to finish sheathing the frame work and cut out and install the doors. We also wanted to get the trusses in side the framed building and ready for flipping and installing. We also got some mowing done around the main house. Work went smoothly and all goals were achieved by 3:30 pm.

Link to Part 2: "http://www.hodgsonobservatory.org/?p=286

Jim, Anita, Paul, Jo, John and myself started framing the New Astronomy Educational Building. Saturday was cold with high winds, Sunday was a mugging day in the morning but nice and sunny in the afternoon. I just uploaded new pictures to the gallery.

From the Menu Click Gallery to see the latest picture of our progress..