SSO Update

Published in the RSAA Lunations
Vol1 Issue39 1–30 April 2023

New Arrivals at SSO

It has been a busy time at SSO with the aluminisation of the AAT primary mirror, the installation of the GOTO telescopes and a new fibre network, the start of robotic operations at the ANU 2.3-metre telescope, and new arrivals.

It is with great pleasure that I welcome Matthew Balk to SSO. Matt joins the mechanical group at SSO. A boilermaker and welder by trade, Matt spent several years building, maintaining, and repairing ships. This included maintaining vessels while at sea. Matt also has a keen interest in the night sky.

Telescopes like the AAT are known for their heavy engineering. In the world of telescope builders, they are known as battleships. If you were to compare the AAT with more modern equivalents, you would see why.

We wish Matt all the best in our organisation, and we look forward to working together.

A Bolt Failure

Matt’s arrival at SSO could not be better timed. During his first week, one of the four bolts holding the Cassegrain cage floor to the rest of the telescope failed.  Over the course of the day, the mechanical team removed the bolt that had failed, measured one of the intact bolts (drawings of the existing configuration were not available), remanufactured two bolts, and reassembled the Cassegrain cage, all in time for the start of the night. The other two bolts will be replaced later. 

Chris Lidman on behalf of the staff at SSO

_{Picture: Matt tightening one of the bolts that attach the Cassegrain floor to the cage.}