Dogu Anadolu Gözlemevi (DAG) integrated dome and telescope on-site assembly

The Dogu Anadolu Gözlemevi (DAG) Eastern Anatolia Observatory is an astronomical project fully funded by Turkish Ministry of Development and the Atatürk University of Astrophysics Research Telescope (ATASAM). DAG Observatory will be provided with a 4m-class optical and infrared telescope, equipped with secondary (0.76m) and tertiary mirrors which furnish the telescope with two Nasmyth foci. Since 2015, the project has seen the crucial contribution of EIE GROUP in the Design, Production and on-site Installation of the 4m class optical/near-infrared telescope (DAG Telescope) in contract with AMOS company. EIE GROUP is also the main contractor of the 18.6m-diameter Rotating Building (DAG Dome) at an altitude of 3170m asl on the Erzurum Plateau, Turkey. The telescope was completely pre-assembled and successfully tested at the Integration Area Facilities of the EIE GROUP. Subsequently disassembled and transported to the final installation site. Despite the serious effects of the pandemic, the EIE GROUP, in agreement with its final Customer, has adopted a telescope assembly strategy integrated with the final assembly phases of the Dome. This allowed EIE to mount the entire telescope, in a single summer season, in total safety (thanks to the special measures adopted). This paper focuses on the development of this on-site assembly EIE activities of DAG Telescope, which at present have exceeded the 95% of completion. The main critical issues and related engineering solutions will be analyzed, with emphasis on both managerial and erection approaches adopted by EIE GROUP for this integrated phase of the project completion.