Thacher Observatory
Designed.
Automated.
Customized.
Sea West built this observatory with the mission to combine education and research while aiming to promote learning.
About the observatory
The Thacher Observatory, situated on campus at The Thacher School in Ventura County, California, has a rich history of astronomy research since the 1950s. The observatory was built with the mission to combine education and research while aiming to promote learning in physics and astronomy among students.
Dome
16.5’ Ash-Dome
Telescope
PlaneWave CDK700
Astrophotography
Research
Robotic Observatory
Project Scope
The observatory was outdated and unable to meet the requirements needed by students. Sea West was contracted to remove and disassemble the 50-year-old Ash-Dome. The dome was crated up to be reused again one day. Then Sea West installed a new 16.5’ REB Ash-Dome that had a custom aperture to be used with the new PlaneWave CDK700. Additionally, building improvements were made including roofing, pier modification, electrical upgrades, HVAC installation, observatory isolation and finish exterior painting, and site improvements including graveling of the exterior area surrounding the observatory. Finally, the installation of a telescope adapter plate and a PlaneWave CDK700 observatory system in partnership with Observatory Systems.
solution
Sea West partnered with Ash Manufacturing, PlaneWave Instruments, and Observatory Systems, who have provided some of the observatory photos displayed, to complete the much-needed improvements to the Thacher Observatory.
