*Update* Yerkes Telescope to become a Spa and Resort!

[harmonicaman]

Is anybody following the interesting developments concening the sale of the world's largest refracting telescope? Will the observatory be leveled to make room for lakeside condos?<br /><br />http://www.the-scientist.com/2005/11/7/56/1<br />

 

[CalliArcale]

HARMONICAMAN!!!!<br /><br />*tacklepouncehuggles*<br /><br />I've missed you! Man, it's great to see your username again! I hope you'll be back for a while. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#666699"><em>"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff."</em>  -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>

 

[harmonicaman]

TY Calli! Don't make kids - they steal all your play time... (Oops, too late; I hope your munchkin is doing as well as ours!) I've been involved with several other time consuming projects which are now about completed.<br /><br />Crazy - They recently moved the Syracuse University Observatory about 200 ft. It is a pretty simple brick tower and it was a major undertaking. The Yerkes Observatory is a sprawling campus; I don't think it would be practical to move it...

 

[harmonicaman]

Thanks Calli -- <-@<br /><br />Here's an update. The University of Chicago still remains undecided about the fate of the Yerkes Telescope...

 

[harmonicaman]

The Historic Yerkes Observatory has been sold to a private developer who will build a spa and resort and luxury homes on the sight of the worlds largest refracting telescope. This news item doesn't make it sound like a it's a sad day for astronomy; but in my opinion this is a really devastating turn of events! The University of Chicago sold to the deep pockets of the developer instead of taking the offer of Aurora college which would have preserved the site...

 

[doubletruncation]

That's really sad. Will the telescope itself be saved? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[harmonicaman]

Yes, the campus directly adjacent to the site of the telescopes and observatories will be turned into some kind of museum and shrine; much of the rest of the property (including the bulk of the waterfront area) will be chopped up into building lots... <img src="/images/icons/rolleyes.gif" />