Mid-Kent Astronomical Society begins work with the telescope
Members of the Mid-Kent Astronomical Society made a visit to the Royal Observatory on Monday the 2nd of March 2012 to begin the operation to remove the delicate optics from the old 20" IfA telescope prior to moving the instrument to its new home in Kent.
The telescope was used on site by the Institute of Astronomy in its astronomy teaching programme. As part of refurbishment works the old telescope is being replaced and a good home was sought for the, still working, older instrument. The Mid-Kent Astronomical Society won the telescope as part of a process that would gift the telescope to any group who would make use of it for public outreach or teaching.
The society plan to move the telescope to its new home, the James Irwin Observatory in Kent. They will undertake an ambitious programme to refurbish the telescope and equip it with new instruments in preparation to use it for public observing and to support science teaching for local schools.
Mid-Kent Astronomical Society members Bob Tellervey, Noel Clark and Ian Hargraves are pictured left to right in the image above shortly after removing the smaller mirror from the telescope.
Links
STFC Press Release - New life for iconic telescope
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