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Last Updated:
March 31, 2008
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Onan Observatory
Welcome to the Minnesota Astronomical Society's
Onan Observatory web site! Select a topic of interest from the table of
contents at the left, or scroll down for observatory news
highlights. If you have a question about the observatory that's not
answered here, please send an e-mail to
onaninfo@mnastro.org,
or leave a message in the Minnesota Astronomical Society's voice
mail box at 952-467-2426.
OBSERVATORY NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
New Equipment at the Observatory
In early 2006 the observatory received a fabulous donation of
equipment.
Two state-of-the-art systems -- one primarily for visual
observing, the other intended for video-enabled observing -- are
now in operation at the observatory. Each system is
installed atop computer-controlled Paramount ME mounts and
consists of numerous refracting and reflecting telescopes, each
selected with a specific purpose in mind. Our deep and
heartfelt thanks to our benefactor for this wonderful, new
capability.
To support the new video-enabled system, the
observatory has been wired with color monitors and video switching
equipment, allowing dozens of visitors to simultaneously view
objects being observed.
With this new equipment, there is now no other all-volunteer public observing facility anywhere in the United
States with a similar range of capabilities. Come out to an
upcoming event at the observatory and prepare to be astounded by
the glories of our universe!
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| The
observing floor. From left to right -- the new
visual system, the original Larson telescope and the new
video / imaging system
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| The new
visual system
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The new
video / imaging system
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| The
two new systems (note the wall-mounted monitors associated
with the video / imaging system)
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| All
photographs copyright 2006, David Olmstead |
2005 Recap
Total observatory attendance at public, special and other events
in 2005 was 2,050 people!
"THANK YOU" to the keyholders and other
volunteers who helped conduct these events and who contributed in so many other
ways to maintenance and ongoing improvements at the observatory! None of
this would be possible without your support!
An e-mail news and notification service is
available. Visit the "OnanNews Email"
page to request automatic notification via e-mail of observatory news and
events.
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