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Last Updated:
March 31, 2008

 

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!

The observing floor.  From left to right -- the new visual system, the original Larson telescope and the new video / imaging system

 

The new visual system

 

The new video / imaging system

 

The two new systems (note the wall-mounted monitors associated with the video / imaging system)

 

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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