Meyer Womble Observatory

During a lull between hailstorms and lightning strikes earlier this month, Patrick Meyer pushed back the hood of his parka and marveled at what will soon be the world's highest operating astronomical observatory. Over the past 25 years, the contractor and amateur astronomer has built million-dollar chalets and remote-controlled airplanes, and all the knowledge garnered from those experiences has gone into the project he calls "the greatest accomplishment of my life."

During a lull between hailstorms and lightning strikes earlier this month, Patrick Meyer pushed back the hood of his parka and marveled at what will soon be the world's highest operating astronomical observatory. Over the past 25 years, the contractor and amateur astronomer has built million-dollar chalets and remote-controlled airplanes, and all the knowledge garnered from those experiences has gone into the project he calls "the greatest accomplishment of my life."