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Visiting the Observatory
Sundance Observatory encourages visits of school groups and scouting dens. Go to the contact page and send an email request to visit for your organization. There will also be open house anouncements periodically.
Starlight Instruments, LLC, has graciously donated one or their fine quality Feather Touch focusers to the observatory so that the future Cub, Boy and Girl Scouts, can have the opportunity of using it towards their merit achivements in Astronomy. We thank Starlight Instruments for providing such great public service support for our future scientists.
Some Recent Visits
On February 3, 2009, the Webelos Den, Liberty Hill, Cub Scout Pack 196, visited the observatory. Their visit, in addition to the fun, was to work towards an "Academic Belt Loop" award in Astronomy. As part of the requirements, they must be able to demonstrate how to focus a telescope or binoculars (they did both). As part of the visit, each of them got to focus the Celestron C14 on the double star Rigel. They knew they were in focus when they could see Rigel B next to Rigel A. Later we viewed various deep space objects, but the Moon observing through the C14 was the big hit. One cup scout said it was like being there. A picture of the group can be seen below.
On May 4, 2009, the Tiger Den, Liberty Hill, Cub Scout Pack 196, visited the observatory to get prepared for their belt loop and pin. It was decided that they would have two visits. The first visit covered basic Astronomy concepts, which included observing the moon, and the second visit will allow them to do the required focusing activity with the newly donated Feather Touch focuser by Starlight Instruments. In the second visit, besides the focusing activity, it is expected that they will be able to explore some deep space objects along with a viewing of Saturn.
Cub Scout Pack 196, Webelos Den -- Cub Scout Pack 196, Tiger Den
