Eagle Lake Observatory

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Address
10775 County Road 33
Norwood Young America, MN 55397 United States Get Directions

Overview

Location:
Carver County Baylor Regional Park
Address: 10775 County Road 33, Norwood-Young America, MN

Latitude: 44.8103

Longitude: -93.9397

Altitude: 1000 ft

The Eagle Lake Observatory is the main public outreach facility for the MAS. The site consists of the Onan Observatory, the Sylvia A. Casby Observatory and the HotSpot Classroom. The Sylvia A. Casby Observatory and the HotSpot Classroom became operational in the 2013 observing season and accompany the existing Onan Observatory which held its first public star party on April 28, 2000.

The Onan Observatory houses more than a dozen telescopes on four observing platforms. The observatory is open to the public and MAS members at scheduled times during the year. Public star parties are all-weather events (see FAQ below), assuring the observatory will be open to visitors.

The Sylvia A. Casby Observatory houses an 8″ TMB design refractor, a Takahashi Mewlon 300 Dall-Kirkham and a SV102 refractor. These telescopes set on an Astro Physics 3600 GTO mount, under a 12.5 foot Ash-Dome. Each observatory has the capability to display live video images of what the telescopes are viewing. These images are shown on monitors in each observatory as well as in the HotSpot Classroom. The HotSpot classroom provides a much needed building to conduct our presentations as well as a warming room for our guests to relax and enjoy live video feeds from the observatories telescopes throughout the night.

Events at this venue
Today

ELO at Sunset
2025 ELO Public Star Party

2025 ELO Public Star Party – Featured Speaker: Doug Neverman

Eagle Lake Observatory 10775 County Road 33, Norwood Young America, MN, United States

7:00 PM Featured Speaker: Doug Neverman Title: Observing 101 Summary: Observing the universe involves more than getting out the telescope. It requires some planning. Observing 101 covers why planning is needed, terms that are used, some easy ways to plan targets, and what to expect when looking through the telescope. When complete the listener will […]

ELO at Sunset
2025 ELO Public Star Party

ELO Public Star Party – Features Speaker: Tim Carlson

Eagle Lake Observatory 10775 County Road 33, Norwood Young America, MN, United States

7:00 PM Featured Speaker: Tim Carlson Topic: NASA Juno Mission to Jupiter For nearly 10 years Juno has been exploring Jupiter and its system. This mission set out to explore Jupiter's atmosphere, magnetosphere, and moons, to learn about the planet's origins and evolution. Join NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador Tim Carlson on a journey of exploration […]

2025 ELO Public Star Party

2025 ELO Public Star Party – Lunar Eclipse

Eagle Lake Observatory 10775 County Road 33, Norwood Young America, MN, United States

Come view the Total Lunar Eclipse with MAS. This event is cancelled if cloudy. During a Public Star Party, we use our array of telescope platforms to show you the wonders of the night sky. Our primary goal during a star party is to view stars, star clusters, galaxies, nebula, planets and maybe a comet […]

Public Star Party at Eagle Lake Observatory

Public Star Party at Eagle Lake Observatory – Featured Speaker Tanya Melnik

Eagle Lake Observatory 10775 County Road 33, Norwood Young America, MN, United States

7:00 pm - featured Speaker: Tanya Melnik - Northern Lights! Summary: Northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, is a natural light display many of us had a chance to enjoy this year. It is an important part of tradition and identity for many northern cultures. It is one of the most recognized space weather […]

Free

Public Star Party at Eagle Lake Observatory

Public Star Party at Eagle Lake Observatory – Featured Speaker: Trena Johnson

Eagle Lake Observatory 10775 County Road 33, Norwood Young America, MN, United States

7:00 pm Featured Speaker: Trena Johnson, MAS President   Title: NASA Psyche Mission     Summary: We will be taking a journey to a metal world. Let us explore an asteroid and the spacecraft that is going on this spectacular journey.  How does this mission help us understand our own planet or will we find out […]

Free

Astronomy Day – Fall 2024

Eagle Lake Observatory 10775 County Road 33, Norwood Young America, MN, United States

Saturday October 12, 2024 The Minnesota Astronomical Society would like to invite you to attend the Astronomical League’s Astronomy Day activities at the Eagle Lake Observatory in Baylor Regional Park. Speakers are scheduled throughout the day and will give talks on astronomy and what there is to see. Door prize drawing will be held Saturday […]

Free

Public Star Party at Eagle Lake Observatory

Public Star Party at Eagle Lake Observatory – Featured Speaker John Fisher

Eagle Lake Observatory 10775 County Road 33, Norwood Young America, MN, United States

7:00 pm Featured Speaker: John Fisher, MAS Member Title: What Are Stars Made Of?    Summary: What messages are hidden in the light of celestial objects? Join John in the classroom for a hands-on demonstration to learn about the different elements that make up stars and see how astronomers measure temperature. Featuring video contributions of […]

Free
Public Star Party at Eagle Lake Observatory

Public Star Party at Eagle Lake Observatory – International Observe The Moon Night

Eagle Lake Observatory 10775 County Road 33, Norwood Young America, MN, United States

7:00 pm: Featured Speaker - Laura Hammerbeck Title: International Observe the Moon Night 2024 - A partnered event for Bell Museum's Statewide Star Party event. Summary: IOMN; The annual global celebration bringing together fellow lunar enthusiasts and moon-curious people worldwide.  Join NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador Laura Hammerbeck on a cosmic quest of our nighttime companion. […]

Free
Public Star Party at Eagle Lake Observatory

Public Star Party at Eagle Lake Observatory

Eagle Lake Observatory 10775 County Road 33, Norwood Young America, MN, United States

The Minnesota Astronomical Society (MAS) host Public Star Parties approximately every other Saturday night, from March to November, at the Eagle Lake Observatory. Public star parties are open to all, you do not need to be a MAS member to attend. Typically there is no fee to attend a star party, however donations are greatly […]

Free

Public Star Party at Eagle Lake Observatory

Public Star Party at Eagle Lake Observatory – Featured Speaker: Merle Hiltner

Eagle Lake Observatory 10775 County Road 33, Norwood Young America, MN, United States

Featured Speaker: Merle HiltnerTime: 7:00 PMTitle: Astronomy 101Summary: Ever wonder how telescopes work, what's a Blue moon, a Super moon or why isn't Pluto a planet. I'll explain these and more questions you have about astronomy. The Minnesota Astronomical Society (MAS) host Public Star Parties approximately every other Saturday night, from March to November, at […]

Free
Public Star Party at Eagle Lake Observatory

Public Star Party at Eagle Lake Observatory – Featured Speaker Laura Hammerbeck

Eagle Lake Observatory 10775 County Road 33, Norwood Young America, MN, United States

7:00 pm Featured Speaker:  Laura Hammerbeck - Two Years of Webb Summary: The James Webb Space Telescope has been in operation for 2 years, thrilling us with stunning images and breakthrough astronomy. Learn how JWST’s groundbreaking technologies have shaped our understanding of the universe, and take a look back through time to the earliest light […]

Free

Public Star Party at Eagle Lake Observatory

Public Star Party at Eagle Lake Observatory – Featured Speaker: Laura Hammerbeck

Eagle Lake Observatory 10775 County Road 33, Norwood Young America, MN, United States

7:00 PM: Laura Hammerbeck, NASA Solar System Ambassador - Exploding Stars! Summary: Never seen an exploding star? This year, you have a chance! T. Coronae Borealis, predicted to erupt soon, is a once-in-a-lifetime event. It’s a recurrent nova, and people around the world will be able to see it themselves.  Why does this happen, and […]

Free