In the early 2023-time frame, it became known that a very generous gift of extremely high-end astronomical equipment could be made available to Kopernik if that gift could be appropriately utilized. The potential gift would consist of two high-end telescope systems, one being a 12-inch Meade telescope that would primarily be a visual viewing scope; i.e. via eyepieces. The other system would be a Celestron C-14 with HyperStar that would primarily be an imaging scope; i.e. via astronomical digital cameras. This equipment could not be housed within any of the existing three dome observatories, thus the idea of erecting a 4th observatory in roll-off-roof format suddenly took on serious overtones. The main RORO design requirement is that it must be handicap accessible (more on this later in Section III of this document).
In April 2023 a rough pen & pencil drawing was created to help crystalize the thoughts at that time for a 32’ x 24’ structure.
In November 2023, to serve as a visual-aid, stakes were pounded in the ground to outline the proposed site on the KOSC tract and the proposed 32’ x 24’ footprint.
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