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.] |
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| 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 (MAS members) (Code required 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 |
| Member 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, Lunt 152 Solar |
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 (Code required after park hours) | 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 10:00. Gated with security alarm. | 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 |
| Phone | No | 952-467-2148 | No | No | No |
| 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 |
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| Contact Info | [MAS Outreach Coordinator] | [MAS Outreach Coordinator] | [MAS Outreach Coordinator] | [MAS Outreach Coordinator] | [MAS Outreach Coordinator] |
