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Onan Observatory

Becoming an Observatory Keyholder

Keyholder privileges

Onan Observatory keyholders have the following privileges:

• Personal use of the observatory when not previously scheduled for public event, MAS star party or educational event
• Annual recognition event (end of summer cook-out at Baylor)
• Annual recognition of efforts, published in Gemini

Eligibility requirements

Individuals must meet four requirements to become an Onan Keyholder:

1. Be at least eighteen years of age.

2. Be a member in good-standing of the MAS.

3. Complete a two-hour training session.

4. Provide assistance with construction, maintenance or program activities at the observatory during the calendar year.

Keyholder responsibilities

Every keyholder must:

• Enforce observatory operating rules and guidelines when the observatory is in use and they are present
• Complete the closing checklist and observatory log each time they are in charge of any observatory-related activity (construction and maintenance work parties, MAS star parties, public events, educational events, etc.)

In addition, each keyholder is required to contribute in one or more of the following areas:

• Act as host for MAS members visiting the observatory during star parties held at Baylor
• Help with public events at the observatory either as team member or team leader
• Participate in observatory construction "work parties"
• Participate in quarterly observatory maintenance "work parties" (cleaning, adjusting equipment, taking inventory, etc.)
• Be available to non-keyholding MAS members desiring use of the observatory for special projects
• Conduct observatory-based educational events for schools, scouts and similar groups
• Recruit and train others as observatory keyholders or participants in work parties and events

Getting started

MAS members who wish to become keyholders should express their interest with an e-mail message to OnanInfo@MnAstro.org, or by leaving a voice message on the Society's info line.