2016 MAY 10 FIRST LIGHT! The complete system was aligned and a first light image was obtained. Although all control systems are now complete and operational, the telescope requires collimation before routine operations can commence. For a larger first light image see ASA Skynet first light image.
2016 FEB 25 TELESCOPE MOUNTED The 16" RCOS telescope was mated to the Paramount MEII telescope mount.
2016 JAN 15 TELESCOPE MOUNT INSTALLED The Paramount MEII telescope mount was installed on the top of the pier. The power control electronics for the dome, mount and telescope system were completed by Arie and installed at the same time. This control will wake up the system just prior to sunset and turn it off after sunrise. It will also shut the system down if dangerous conditions are detected (eg overtemperature) and notify the system manager via SMS. Cables from the solar power trailer were installed and the whole control system was left running.
2015 DEC 15 TELESCOPE & CAMERA The Telescope and Camera were received from Cerro Tololo Observatory in Chile, shipped via DHL.
2015 JUL 24 SOLAR POWER TRAILER The solar power trailer to power the Observatory was delivered to the site, on loan from Curtin University.
2015 JUN 30 SIRIUS DOME ERECTED The 3.5m Sirius Dome was erected on the concrete pad.
2015 JUN 12 COMMS SPEED TESTS CONDUCTED Arie Verveer, the ASA Skynet Manager, conducted tests on wireless communication speeds to be expected at the Meckering Skynet site.
2015 JUN 12 SIRIUS 3.5M DOME TRANSPORTED A Sirius 3.5 metre dome kit was transported from Perth Observatory to the ASA Meckering site.
2015 JUN 06 ASA SIGNS SKYNET AGREEMENT The Australian Space Academy has signed an agreement with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to host a Skynet robotic telescope node at the ASA Meckering campus.
2015 MAR 17 CONCRETE PAD POURED A 4x4 metre concrete pad was poured at the ASA Meckering site to host a Skynet Observatory.