June 29th

The cleaning continued. We decided to try applying the jelly a little more liberally and hopefully if we do so, it  will allow us to apply it one time instead of two and have the results be the same. Chan is going to stop at an electronics store to look at wi-fi cameras.

June 28th

Today we started cleaning. We borrowed a power washer and sprayed down the entire frame to get any loose dirt off. We gave the frame time to dry and then the aluminum jelly was brushed onto a small section of the frame to figure out an effective cleaning method. We let the jelly sit and then power washed it off. Not all of it seemed to come off with the first wash so we took cloths and wiped the frame down. Then the frame was washed for a second time and it seemed to work.

June 27th

The telescope was moved from the grass onto the deck and is now all ready to be cleaned. That process should start tomorrow with a pressure wash. I am also looking into purchasing a wi-fi camera that will take pictures every so often out of which we can make a movie to track the progress. We are looking at taking pictures once an hour and the price range is approximately $100-200, but Amazon has some less expensive ones to look into.

June 26th

The shipment of cleaning supplies and tools came in today. I made sure everything was there and put the supplies away. The weather calls for rain and storms the next few days. Weather depending, we can hopefully start cleaning the aluminum this week as long as we get the pressure washer.

June 22nd

The telescope has been moved to the location behind Roger Bacon adjacent to the walkway connecting Roger Bacon and the Morrell Science Center. They placed the large aluminum pieces next to the deck oriented how we believe they fit together. All the smaller aluminum pieces were placed on top of the box that contains the mirror so that nothing happens to them during the move.

June 19th

We picked up where we left off after the contractors finished securing the supports. We finished the deck after a couple of hours and a run to Home Depot to pick up more decking screws. Some of the boards were warped pretty badly, so it's not perfect. The wood was also wet when we were building it, but when the wood dries, the gaps will shrink. I have to admit, it looks pretty good.

June 18th

The platform should be completely finished within the next few days. Construction started this morning. On the side furthest away from the building, the ground starts sloping downward. The contractors are decided to go with concrete blocks to support the structure. Since the telescope is extremely heavy, they need to make sure the supports will hold. They got most of the way done with the frame, but need to secure the cross supports tomorrow. Before they left they showed us how to secure the decking. They left us the wood and deck screws and we started building the deck. We were able to complete about a third of the decking.

June 13th

We did some more testing of cleaners on larger sections of the aluminum to see which one works more efficiently. We decided on going with the Duro (aka Loctite) aluminum jelly and the Flitz liquid metal polish. We put in an order for the cleaners, polishes and tools. The MSDS sheets for each of the chemicals were printed out to be put in a folder at the site. The safety information needs to be available in the event anything happens. Stakes were also moved and placed in a 12'x18' rectangle to outline where the platform is going to be built.

June 12th

We started off the day by testing the different grades of sandpaper we picked up from Home Depot to clean the aluminum frame. We tried grades from 60- 600-grit. Even the finest grade sandpaper scratched the surface more than what we were hoping. In addition, we noticed the metal is pitted as a result of the corrosion. In search of a solution, research was done to determine the most efficient way to clean the aluminum of the aluminum oxide. We made a Lowe's and Ace Hardware run to get cleaner and polisher for the telescope frame. We picked up Loctite's rust dissolver, aluminum jelly, and two kinds of metal polisher that clean and polish. We brought a miscellaneous piece of the frame into the lab for testing. We tried all the various combinations or the two cleaners and the two polishes and found that they all work fairly decently when used together. Larger quantities of the chemicals will be ordered and as soon as the telescope is moved. We are also looking into getting an electric pressure washer to clean the frame before and after using the cleaner and polish. We need electric run to the site eventually, but we might be able to get away with running an extension cord to the site for now. We also need to get hoses for the pressure washer and plywood to cover the platform frame.

June 11th

The shipment of nuts, bolts, washers, etc. arrived. They were then sorted according to size into organizers. It was decided that contractors are going to build the frame of the platform so that it goes quicker and so that we know it will hold the appropriate weight. They should be finished within the next couple of days and then we will finish the platform by adding and securing the plywood. The telescope parts will be moved within the week as well weather depending.

June 8th

Pictures were taken of the site all staked out and added to a separate website that will be used for all pictures of the project. Links will be added to the original website and blog. I researched the fundamentals behind radio telescopes, radio astronomy and how we might go about testing the telescope once it is assembled. I also analyzed the platform to decide how many boards we would need and what type of vehicle we would need to transport it. A few trips in a pick-up truck would make the most sense because we need 121 boards of various lengths around 10 feet long for both the planking and frame. We also need to run the plans by a civil engineer to make sure the structure can withstand the 4,116 pounds of the aluminum parts of the telescope and mirror that we have here on campus.

June 7th

A trip was taken to Home Depot for the necessary tools required for the project. Items like hex keys, adjustable wrenches, gloves, safety glasses, toolboxes, etc. were purchased. Upon our return we staked out the location of the telescope using orange stakes. Then we organized the tools and placed everything in the toolbox and determined where we were to store everything. Schematics were then drawn up for the platform to run by a civil engineer to make sure the structure will be sufficient. Pricing was also determined for a few different methods for the building of the platform.      

A Survey Sheet of the Potential Construction Site for the Viper Radio Telescope on Campus at Siena College. 

Drawn up by T. Tamer Rice based on data obtained by Alyssa Endres, Thomas Dunn, and T. Tamer Rice.

June 6th

Today I spent the morning adding the teachers as administrators to the website and blog so they can keep tabs on what is going on easier. I updated the blog and worked on the website changing the text boxes and content. We remeasured the pieces for the telescope and took pictures if the individual pieces that were laying on the piece that holds the detector. Then we went out to look at the newest proposed location for the telescope and took measurements. We drew out a site map to scale where the tent, table, tool boxes, etc. will go. We then talked about scheduling and planned out a full schedule, beginning to end, of the project and approximate dates. An order was sent to Cynthia from Home Depot regarding our run for tomorrow.

June 5th

We started by going outside and compiling a list of the various sizes of rusted bolts, nuts, screws, washers, etc. as well as taking pictures of the pieces. Some of the hardware was stainless steel, but the rest of the pieces that are made from galvanized steel and need to be replaced. We also started predicting how pieces might fit together. It was a little difficult since we don't have all the pieces yet. When we are finished putting the Viper together, we want it looking as good as new. We then started pricing out the replacement hardware on various websites. We were told to make a new account on McMaster-Carr and so we built an order online using the website. The order was given to Cynthia and she said she was going to start working on it since it was a fairly lengthy order.

June 4th

The first day at work. We started reading up on radio astronomy and radio telescopes to learn about the fundamentals behind the Viper. Then we went outside to take a look at the state of the pieces we had here on campus. The rest of the pieces will have to be obtained from Johns Hopkins sooner rather than later. We started putting together a list of tools and information that we need to know before really getting started. Then we started sketching out a proposed schedule from now until the telescope is completely put together and in its permanent location.

Link to project tracking website:
https://sites.google.com/site/viperproject12/

Link to website with pictures:
https://sites.google.com/site/projectviperpictures/home