While I would not have any objections if it could be done safely I don't know enough to make an informed decision. What's say you bring it up with Bruce tonight? Patrick Chuck Hards wrote:

Patrick, I know that SPOC is shut-down in winter due to possible condensation problems with the mirror coatings. But this raises the question of whether the new refractor should be subject to the same restriction, since it doesn't have a vacuum-deposited metal coating(s) to worry about. The smaller objective could be easily protected from condensation with a passive system, and the scope could be kept usable all winter long. As far as you know, has Bruce given any thought to keeping Refractor House (only) operational through the winter? What's your opinion?

I'd be in favor of this if it's feasable. My "slow" season at work is during the usual SPOC off-season, and it's when I do most (read: "all") of my observing the last several years.

Well, the only flaw in that suggestion is that I won't be within 30 miles of Bruce tonight! Family obligations prevent my star-party attendance. But I may shoot him a private email. About the only objection I can think of is a possible ice build-up on the roof tracks, but I don't think this actually happens with any frequency to worry about. I'd be willing to bet that snow and/or ice may be a problem in opening the roof very, very rarely. Checking the tracks is part of the pre-opening checklist already. --- Patrick Wiggins <paw@wirelessbeehive.com> wrote:

What's say you bring it up with Bruce tonight?

__________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com