Dome update

With help from the observatory maintenance team, we have located the source of the dome Az drive problem.

The maintenance team have found damage to the outer carcass of the tyre, and a puncture to the inner tube. They have patched the inner tube and attempted to plug the damage to the wheel's outer surface; this temporary fix has allowed us to test the dome rotation and ensure that there are no other problems.

Dome Az drive wheel with visible damage.

We have already ordered replacement parts for this failure, so we will be booking a maintenance trip as soon as the parts arrive.