Twenty years ago, Dr. Lee Hoglan, a prominent San Jose optometrist, contacted Robert E. Caton , M.D., then living in Modesto, California. Thus began a most interesting and unique association in astronomy.

The chance meeting took place through an advertisement in Sky & Telescope. Initially, Lee Hoglan began a search for a partner to build and maintain a private observatory. Following discussions, Lee and Bob decided to proceed and construct their own observatory.

The initial site chosen was east of Big Sur, California, on land owned by an American Indian. The owner requested that the building match the rest of his structures, therefore a roll-off roof observatory was designed . Plans were then made to move a 30 inch Newtonian telescope, personally constructed by lee Hoglan, to the new site.

Eventually, the giant telescope was moved to its new home, the Chews Ridge Observatory. There it remained for almost 20 years providing fabulous views of the heavens.

Chews Ridge Observatory - home of the 30 inch

Then, in the year 2001, Lee and Bob felt that a larger telescope was needed. Due to the fact that the Chews Ridge Observatory land was not owned by them, it was decided that new property should be acquired . The 30 inch telescope at Chews Ridge would be moved to the new site and plans were also made to begin construction of a larger observatory with a new larger telescope as well.

Therefore, a search was undertaken to find a new more appropriate site for what was planned to be a remarkable new observatory.

future site of the new observatory

During these subsequent years, contact was made with Kevin Medlock, a well-known builder of fine large telescopes. In talks with Kevin, mention was made of an optically perfect mirror - a large 36 inch fully functional and polished mirror - that was available and could be turned into a new telescope.

Upon talking with Kevin, it was then decided to move ahead with the construction of a new telescope. Kevin had overseen the construction of a 36 inch cassegrain telescope located at the Chabot Observatory in Oakland, California. Visits were made to assess the new scope.

The 36 inch mirror blank was a sister mirror to the telescope at Chabot. Examination of the optics proved it to be a top-quality instrument. Kevin was therefore hired to become the chief optical designer for the new scope.

the new proposed 36 inch cassegrain

A field team was then assembled to locate and test dark field sites in California. For three years the team traveled around northern California. From dry desert sites to 9,000 foot elevated mesas near Yosemite, the group sought out a new location for the proposed 36 inch.

D.A.R.C., or as it is better known, the Deep Sky Astronomical Research Center, was thus born. Ultimately, the best and most centralized site was found near Mercey Hot Springs, in northern California. The land was purchased and then surveyed for the new structure.

The rest is astronomical history. Consturction moved fast with twin 22 foot domes being connected to a central computer and control room, including a sleep and kitchen as well.

This book outlines in meticulous detail, the momentous building of the new facility, a work of art in the study of the heavens, and the culmination of a twenty year partnership.