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Location

Baylor Regional park is located in western Carver County, just north of Norwood-Young America.  The park address is:

10775 County Rd. 33
Norwood/Young America, MN

The Onan Observatory is located adjacent to the tennis courts near Eagle Lake.  GPS coordinates for the Onan Observatory are:

Latitude: 44.81024 (N 44º 48' 37'')
Longitude: -93.93982 (W 93º 56' 23'')

Directions

Take either US Highway 212 or Minnesota Highway 5 west from the Twin Cities to Norwood-Young America.  Follow County Road 33 north approximately three miles.  The entrance to Baylor Regional Park is on the right.

An alternate route is available for those in the northwestern quadrant of the Twin Cities.  Take Minnesota Highway 7 west to County Road 33.  Turn south, proceeding to New Germany and then continue on another 6 miles.  The entrance to the park is on the left.

Facilities

The focal point of the weekend's activities is the Minnesota Astronomical Society's Onan Observatory, the region's premier all-volunteer public observing facility. 

Key features of the observatory include:

• Three computer-controlled telescope mounts supporting over a dozen high-quality refracting and reflecting telescopes, the largest with a 16" diameter light-collecting mirror
• A portable 'Dobsonian-style' reflecting telescope with a 20" mirror
• Real-time video viewing capabilities for lunar, planetary and deep-sky viewing
• Mounted 15x80 binoculars for the ultimate 'wide-field' stargazing experience
• Daytime capabilities for safe viewing of the Sun's surface, spots and arcs of gas visible along its edges
• Electrical outlets on the outside of the building
• A library with reference books, star atlases and planispheres
• Paved handicap parking adjacent to the wheelchair accessible building

[For more information on the observatory, including upcoming public events, please visit www.mnastro.org/onan.]

When not busy with observing or workshops, participants can take advantage of the park's many facilities:

• Picnic areas
• Showers
• Swimming beach
• Beach house
• Reservable picnic shelters (must reserve in advance)
• Tennis courts
• Sand volleyball court
• Horseshoe pits
• 18 hole disc golf course
• Fishing pier
• Playground
• Over 4 miles of marsh and woodland nature trails

Schedule of events

The schedule is still being finalized at this time -- check back often for updates!

For more information 

As the event nears, updates will be posted on the www.mnastro.org home page, and on the Society's telephone answering service at (952) 467-2426.

Weather-related information for Baylor regional park is available at www.mnastro.org/facilities/baylor_weather.htm. 

For more information about Baylor Regional park visit http://www.co.carver.mn.us/departments/PW/parks/baylor.asp.  The park phone number is (952) 448-6082.

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