Observing Site Summary
[Click on a site name for complete information.] |
| |
Cherry Grove |
Onan Observatory |
LLCC |
Joseph J. Casby |
Metcalf |
| Access |
24/7 |
24/7
(Requires pre-arrangement if after normal park
hours) |
MAS Members only; Limited schedule See 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 | |
| Concrete pads |
Yes |
Yes
(Observatory Plaza) |
No |
Yes (3) |
Yes (3) |
| Electricity |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Equipment |
24" StarMaster
14" Meade LX200
8" & 10" loaner Dob's |
More than 12 telescopes
16" LX200, C-14, SV152
20" Obsession, Binoculars |
30" Obsession
25" Obsession
10" Meade SCT |
10" TMB refractor
TMB 130, ST120 |
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 |
| Piers |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
| Privacy |
Off the beaten path, but on intersection of two
county roads |
Public park |
Conservation Center |
Private land |
Secluded |
| Restrooms |
Outhouse |
Outhouse; nearby seasonal indoor at beach;
year-round
indoor at park entrance |
Yes |
Yes In nearby classroom, requires code for access |
Outhouse |
| Security |
Yes |
Park closed to public after dark; Caretaker on site |
Parking permit required |
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 N 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 |
Separate key required to access 24" dob |
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 |
[Click for info] |
[Click for info] |
[Click for info] |
[Click for info] |
[Click for info] |