Repairs will begin on the DU-operated Meyer-Womble Observatory on Mount Evans this summer after it was severely damaged by high winds during the winter. A current bid to replace the dome sets the repair price at $72,000, all of which will be covered by DU’s disaster insurance policy.

The Meyer-Womble observatory was built and gifted to DU in 1996 with an upgraded NASA 24 inch telescope. There is no access to the observatory during winter months because the only road is closed due to the weather. The Colorado Department of Transportation will be re-opening the road this weekend.

The damage to the observatory will prevent classes and routine observation from being conducted over the summer. Professor of Astronomy Robert Stencel, who oversees the Meyer-Womble Observatory, said the observatory should be back in operating condition by summer 2013.

No one knows when exactly the large dome that protects the telescope in the observatory was ripped apart, allowing the snow to accumulate within the building. According to Stencel, there may be more damage to important instruments within the building.

“So far, it appears telescope damage was slight and superficial, but more time is needed for a full examination,” said Stencel.

He and his students first realized something was wrong when they noticed odd shadows in the view of a remote camera set up inside the building. They also began to see pictures taken by hikers that showed the collapsed dome from a distance.

Stencel hired mountain climber Adam Jones to hike to the site and investigate during the winter.

There, Jones documented the damage, cleaned up equipment and debris that had been scattered by the wind and wrapped the telescope in waterproof tarps.

The dome is being redesigned to accommodate higher wind speeds in the future.

“We’re hoping to get the roof fixed this summer, before the autumn snow begins to fly,” said Stencel. “I’m optimistic, but the clock is ticking.”

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