MAS Observing Sites & Facilities

Observing in all its forms is the heart and soul of amateur astronomy. To meet our membership’s diverse observing needs we maintain five unique regional observing sites, four with observatories. Each site includes observing amenities, ranging from a simple warming structure and concrete pads to a fully-equipped observatory housing multiple telescopes. Star parties take place at each site on a rotating basis. Four are also available to MAS members for private use.

For complete information on each of the Society’s sites — directions, descriptions and information regarding accessing the facilities and equipment — click on the location of interest on the map below or on the site name in the “Observing Site Summary” that follows.

View MAS Observing Sites in a larger map

Click the site name on the map to see that facilities web page.

Observing Site Summary [Click on a site name for complete information.]
	Cherry Grove Observatory	Eagle Lake Observatory	LLCC	Joseph J. Casby	Metcalf
Site Summary	New roll-off observatory became operational in 2013	Sylvia A. Casby Observatory and HotSpot Classroom added in 2013	New storage garage for telescopes completed in 2009	The first MAS domed observatory completed in 2010	Original MAS observing site. In use since the 1970’s
Map Location	CGO map	ELO map	LLCC map	JJ Casby map	Metcalf map
Access	24/7	24/7 (Requires pre-arrangement if after normal park hours)	MAS Members only Limited schedule (See LLCC Events Calendar)	24/7 MAS members who have attended Belwin Orientation	24/7
Annual Events	Messier Marathon Virgo Venture Mini Messier Marathon	Astronomy Day Camping with the Stars Fall Astronomy Day	Northern Nights Star Fest	Belwin Conservancy Member Events	None
Public Star Parties	Generally, near 3rd Quarter Moon	1st & 3rd Quarter Moon phases from March – November Public S. P. Schedule	Only when registered for Northern Nights Star Fest	None	None
Star Parties	Generally, near 3rd Quarter Moon CGO event schedule	None Member use at their discretion	Member use only on designated weekends LLCC event schedule	None Member use at their discretion	None Member use at their discretion
Telescope pads	Yes (2)	Yes (Observatory Plaza)	No	Yes (3)	Yes (3)
Electricity	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Equipment	24″ StarMaster 12″ Meade LX200 8″ & 10″ loaner Dob’s	Onan Observatory: 16″ LX200, C-14, SV152, 20″ Obsession & more. Sylvia A Casby: 8” TMB, Takahashi Mewlon 300 & 4” Stellarvue	30″ Obsession 25″ Obsession	10″ TMB refractor, TMB 130, ST120 & 80mm Lunt Solar	None
Nearest major town	Cannon Falls	Norwood-Young America	Aitkin / McGregor	Woodbury	Woodbury
Observatory	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Parking	Shared with observing field	Separate from observing field and observatory	On or adjacent to observing field	Room for 5-6 cars near observatory	Shared with observing field
Telescope Piers	No	No	No	No	Yes
Privacy	Off the beaten path, but on intersection of two county roads	Public park	Conservation Center	Private land	Private land
Restrooms	”Rustic” Outhouse	Nearby seasonal indoor at beach, year-round indoor at park entrance & Outhouse	Yes – In nearby Dining Hall	Yes – In nearby classroom, requires code for access	”Rustic” Outhouse
Security	Yes, key-code required	Park closed to public after dark; Gated with security alarm, Caretaker on site	Caretaker on site	Gated with security alarm, Caretaker on site	Fenced and gated
Sky quality	Very Dark Twin Cities light dome to N, minor to SE; Scattered small town light domes around horizon	Dark Twin Cities light dome to E and NE; Scattered small town light domes around horizon	Extremely dark	Moderately polluted by St. Paul, Woodbury and surrounding communities	Moderately polluted by St. Paul, Woodbury and surrounding communities
Sleeping	Bunks in warming house (Requires combination)	Two bunks in observatory (Keyholder access only)	Accommodations available to MAS members	None	Bunks in warming house (Requires combination)
Warming facility	Yes Combination Lock	Yes Keyholder access only	Yes Accommodations available to MAS members	Yes In nearby classroom, requires code	Yes Combination Lock
Other		Regular Public Star Parties held from March – November Public S. P. Schedule	MAS-provided parking permit required Review Rules of Use	Review observatory Guidelines / Procedure and Visitation Rules
Contact Info	[MAS Outreach Coordinator]	[MAS Outreach Coordinator]	[MAS Outreach Coordinator]	[MAS Outreach Coordinator]	[MAS Outreach Coordinator]