Passes & Keys
The Prescott peninsula of the Quabbin resevoir is a protected area. Anyone entering needs a key to cross the gate and a pass for the dashboard of their vehicle. These are provided if you take an observatory jeep. If you go out on your own, you need to request a pass, gate key, and observatory key from either me or directly from Barb Keyworth.

Observatory Jeeps
If you do not have your own car, or do not want to subject it to the observatory access road, you may borrow an FCRAO jeep. Take special care while driving on the access road which can be muddy or icy, especially when you've been observing forever and you're tired. Deer and other largish things like porcupines have been known to enhabit the road so keep your speed and stay awake.

Please ask me to get you a jeep so I know who has one and who is at the observatory. (I will tell you the details in person rather than post it here for all the world to see.) As always, be professional as our representative on the road.

Safety Advice
For major emergencies, see the User's Manual. For minor ones, call me or Mark (5-4264).

To avoid the common problem of setting off the fire alarm (for which many frightening warning signs are posted), cook responsibly. Always put on the oven fan, even if boiling water (trust me). Avoid baking.

If the fire alarm goes off AND there isn't a real fire (you're just burning toast or something), follow these steps:

• Turn off/put out whatever's causing the smoke.
• Find the alarm control box (large glass cabinet) in the foyer.
• Hit "Trouble Silence" on the right panel to stop your ears from bleeding.
• Switch off the zone 2 (kitchen) alarm on the left panel.
• Once the smoke clears, switch the alarm back on.
• Hit "system Reset" on the right panel.

My practice while observing at Quabbin has been to always go in with food, and to leave at the first sign of bad snow. It really sucks to be out there without something to eat, and there's nothing worse than not being able to observe due to weather, but the weather forces you to stay. Use your head and be prepared, this means

It goes without saying not to mess around in the dome, but also be aware that we are not supposed to wander from the observatory either. The service that maintains the resevoir is very serious about keeping people out of the restricted areas, so try to stick to the observatory. If you can't help but take a stroll in the woods, just don't get lost and walk, do not drive. Anyway, the mosquitos will generally convince you to keep indoors.