Subject: Invitation to Sloan Digital Sky Survey Lightning Workshop

From: Bruce Gillespie

Submitted: Fri, 12 Sep 1997 16:17:37 -0600

Message number: 168 (previous: 167, next: 169 up: Index)

   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



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