Big winds @ SETI Observatory

[Sausageman (Mike Boggan)]

In SE QLD we have had some very strong winds, and they have done some re-arranging of our equipment.
On checking the web cams today, it was observed that a 5m spun aluminium dish has been picked up and moved about 60 feet down the paddock.
This dish is so heavy that it takes at least 5 of us to pick it up.

My main concern is the dish already erected on it's tower, it does move a bit in strong winds, but these winds were way more than that.

Noel Welstead will be on site tonight, but I won't get there until tomorrow morning.

Wind is our most dangerous problem, especially as we can not "auto-park" the dishes yet.

I will keep you updated after the weekend.

Mike.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

The Extra-Terrestrials caused the wind so you could'nt detect them, Mike.

Cunning aren't they!

Yeah, we have had stronger than usual strong winds way down here too. The weather is going Birko!!

Hope no damage has been done to your equipment. Keep safe if you are going out in the wind, we don't want to hear that several of you got knocked flat trying to carry the dish back.

[Sausageman (Mike Boggan)]

Thanks Ken,

I just got home from the observatory.
No serious damage done, just some minor roof repairs and put the shade sails back up.

Mike.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Good to hear, Mike.

[h0ughy (David)]

nice to hear there is not much wrong mike

[StarLane]

Hi Mike,

It's abit scary when mother nature decides to mis-behave when there are thousands of dollars worth of equipment at risk. It's good that not much damage was done. The weather report has predicted that another big blow will come through Tuesday or Wednesday, but who can trust the weather report?
I would still like to come out one weekend to check out the setup. I just need to get a weekend free, difficult at the moment. I'll send a message to you when I get a chance to come and have a look, hopefully you'll be out there the same weekend.

Cheers, Paul.