Fayetteville State University Observatory
PROJECT IN PROGRESS
Sea West will upgrade the existing observatory dome at Fayetteville State Univerity for research and student use.
About the observatory
Located in North Carolina, this academic observatory is set to undergo a significant upgrade to enhance its capabilities for both research and student use. The existing circa-1970s dome will be replaced with a new Ash Manufacturing 16’-6” Ash-Dome, equipped with an automated dome control system. This upgrade will address current issues with water leaks and modernize the observatory with state-of-the-art automation.
Partners
Sea West is partnering with Ash Manufacturing and Observatory Automation Solutions for this project, ensuring the highest quality in both the dome replacement and the implementation of the new automation system.
Project Scope
In 2024, Sea West will remove the currently in place Ash Manufacturing 16’-6” Ash-Dome, which has been experiencing significant water leaks due to its age. The project involves installing a new 16’-6” Ash-Dome with full dome automation controls, a capability the previous dome did not include. Additionally, the new observatory dome will allow for robotic or remote control, thus enhancing the observatory’s functionality and accessibility.
