Dark Ridge 20" RC
Formerly the University of Iowa Robotic 20" RC telescope
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The Dark Ridge 20" Richie-Chrétien telescope was formerly the University of Iowa Robotic 20" RC and was operated at the Winer Observatory in Sonoita Arizona. The university decided to upgrade their robotic telescope and the Winer Observatory purchased the telescope. Years later the telescope was no longer useful at the Winer Observatory and so the original 20" Cassegrain telescope became available for purchase and the Dark Ridge Ranch, owned and operated by Thomas C. Smith, procured the telescope for placement on the Dark Ridge Observatory in Weed, New Mexico.

The telescope remained in storage for over a year as the ranch was in the process of building the main house and support facilities and preparing to rebuild the telescope.

Below is the on-going historical records of the rebuild effort and the construction of the new home for the 20" RC.

The rebuilding of the Dark Ridge 20" RC (click the image for a larger view)
The Dark Ridge 20" RC Ready for rebuild and placement on the Dark Ridge Observatory's ridge top in Weed, New Mexico.
Wade Porter, victorious! Wade poses beside the Dark Ridge 20" RC ready for rebuild in the shop.
Wade check Tom's work Enough said, it went really well with Wade's assistance.
Final landing for rebuild Tom performs the final landing of the OTA onto the azimuth ring.
Wade Porter assists Wade Porter from San Antonio, Texas assists in the mechanical assembly of the 20" RC.
Placing the OTA Tom prepares the OTA for placement on the azimuth ring and concrete pedestal.
Landing in the shop Donna Smith and Russ Wright assist in landing the OTA into the shop.
Safe and sound!
Arrival at the ranch The telescope arrived at the ranch in good order. Here we see Russ Wright of Raven Wind Ranch, friend of the ranch,
and Tom Smith preparing to unload the OTA into the shop.
Finally out of storage! The 20" RC is being loaded onto the trailer for transport to the rebuild shop at Dark Ridge Ranch.

Last update June 15th, 2008