McDonald Telescope sees first light

WMAT final tweaks

Frank Cianciolo

Kurt and Jake at WMAT

William Wren

On 30 October Kurt Vander Horst and Jacob Towsley commissioned the new Wren Marcario Accessible Telescope (WMAT) telescope at McDonald Observatory in Texas. WMAT is a unique design for telescope which is accessible to people in a seated position, particularly in a wheelchair. LCOGTLas Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network are assisting with the construction and commissioning of the telescope. The WMAT website has much more information, including updates and photos.

Below is some a report from Jacob:

"Commissioning included replacing the old base w a new one with steel bearings rather than aluminum ones. We used the sky jack to lift the fork and optics off of the old base accurately placing it down on the new base and securing it. We then lifted the entire apparatus onto the pillars. Kurt then leveled and squared the base to its final position, meanwhile I was working on the installation of the new electrical closure with the incorrect one. This included changing the inner studs to accommodate the pre-existing panel.

Once the base plate was repositioned, Kurt started on collimation and Jake ran new wires from the telescope to the control panel. After this was installed, we had to take the cans off of the pillars and reposition the mirrors. When we finished the collimation of the telescope, it was perfect.

The Friday night before we left, we had clear skies unlike the previous days when it was snowing and freezing cold, causing the progression to slow down and it interfered with the working conditions. We were able to see images of Jupiter and the moon. We were able to verify tracking and paddle control. The new base at 30 degrees works better than the old one ever did. "