Mount Hamilton's Weather Worries: Protecting a Piece of Astronomy History

Up on Mount Hamilton, a historic telescope is in trouble. A fierce storm on Christmas morning tore open the dome housing the Great Refractor telescope. This telescope, built way back in the 1880s, is a big deal in astronomy. It's still a star attraction, drawing crowds to peek through its lens. But now, it's wrapped in tarps, fighting off rain. The dome took a hit. A huge door blew off, leaving a gaping hole. Rain poured in, soaking the place. Workers are rushing to fix it before more storms hit. They've got a plan: wooden frames and plywood to cover the gap. But they need a break in the weather to start.Rain is coming again. The weather folks say it's going to pour. Winds won't be as bad as Christmas, but still strong. Workers are using scaffolding and plastic to keep rain away from sensitive equipment. They're also using heaters and dehumidifiers to dry out the wet floor. The Great Refractor is still safe, they think. But no one's checked it yet. The dome door might be beyond repair. If it is, they'll need a new one. Meanwhile, other telescopes at Lick Observatory are fine and still working. This telescope is a legend. It helped discover Jupiter's fifth moon. But newer telescopes have taken over. Now, it's mostly for visitors. Those visits are on hold until the dome is fixed. That could take many months. It's a big setback for the observatory's programs.