LIGHTNING RISK ABATEMENT AT OBSERVATORIES WORKSHOP -- FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT The Sloan Digital Sky Survey project is very concerned about lightning-related risks to both instrumentation and staff at Apache Point Observatory (APO). Although various lightning abatement systems have been implemented at the observatory, the project wishes to conduct a workshop where lightning research experts and other observatory engineers with experience in lightning protection can discuss past and contemporary research results and general thinking about lightning protection. The goal of the workshop is to make specific and general recommendations about the SDSS lightning protection systems as well as for observatories in the global sense. This announcement is targeted to a diverse group of astronomers, site managers, observatory engineers, and lightning research specialists. You are cordially invited to participate in this workshop, which will held jointly at Apache Point and NSO/Sunspot. The workshop is chaired by Walter Siegmund, the SDSS Project Engineer (206-543-1453, siegmund@astro.washington.edu). Logistics and other support is provided by the Apache Point Observatory and the National Solar Observatory, Sunspot (contact Bruce Gillespie, 505-437-6822, gillespie@apo.nmsu.edu). Please contact me (bg) if you plan to attend, or either of us if you have questions. Venue: Sunspot Visitor/Education Center if more than about 15 attendees, else in the APO conference area, with meals taken at NSO Sunspot. Dates/Times: Starts Monday 6 October, 9 am; ends Tuesday 7 October by mid-afternoon. Housing/meals: NSO or APO housing available at no cost to attendees, Sunday afternoon through Tuesday noon. Breakfast/lunch can be purchased on Monday, Tuesday; dinner provided Monday at no cost. Reception at NSO Sunday evening TBD. Expenses: For most participants, only housing and Monday dinner will be subsidized. Travel and misc. expenses may be covered if necessary for invited reviewers, details TBD. Lightning Protection Review Monday, 6 October Session 0700 - 0730 Breakfast at NSO Corona Cafe 0900 Welcome, announcements, logistics - B. Gillespie 0920 Introductions, including short reviewer biographies - W. Siegmund Scope & review Agenda, charge to the reviewers - W. Siegmund 0940 Description of APO facilities - Klaene Review of lightning experience at APO - M. Klaene APO lightning protection system - M. Klaene 1030 SDSS camera protection - J. Gunn 1100 APO lightning safety policies and procedures for personnel - M. Klaene 1130 Site walkthrough 1200 Lunch at NSO Corona Cafe 1300 Discussions led by staff from other observatories 1500 Discussions led by the reviewers 1730 Dinner at NSO Corona Cafe Lightning Protection Review Tuesday, 7 October Session 0700 - 0730 Breakfast at NSO Corona Cafe 0900 Drafting of recommendations 1200 Adjourn, lunch at NSO Corona Cafe Charge to reviewers: o Is APO more susceptible to lightning damage than other comparable sites? o What lightning protection deficiencies exist at APO? o How can the APO lightning protection system be improved? o Recognizing the uniqueness, importance and cost of the SDSS camera, should any special measures be taken to specifically protect this instrument. o Is personnel safety adequately and appropriately addressed by the existing APO lightning protection system? If not, how can it be improved? o Are existing personnel safety policies adequate and appropriate? What changes in personnel policies would enhance personnel safety? o What are the requirements for routine maintenance of various lightning protection systems? o Given the state of research and experience, are there guidelines for observatory lightning protection that can be generalized into a short engineering document or "white paper"? ************************** Our best regards, and apologies if you receive multiple copies of this announcement. Bruce Gillespie, APO Site Operations Manager Walter Siegmund, SDSS Project Engineer APO APO APO APO APO Apache Point Observatory 3.5m APO APO APO APO APO This is message 168 in the apo35-general archive. You can find APO the archive on http://www.astro.princeton.edu/APO/apo35-general/INDEX.html APO To join/leave the list, send mail to apo35-request@astro.princeton.edu APO To post a message, mail it to apo35-general@astro.princeton.edu APO APO APO APO APO APO APO APO APO APO APO APO APO APO APO APO APO