Apollo Observatory is an
astronomical observatory
An observatory is a location used for observing terrestrial, marine, or celestial events. Astronomy, climatology/meteorology, geophysical, oceanography and volcanology are examples of disciplines for which observatories have been constructed. His ...
owned by
Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery is a children's museum, science and technology center and zoo in Dayton, Ohio, United States that focuses on science and natural history. Exhibits include an extensive natural history collection as well as mainta ...
and operated by the
Miami Valley Astronomical Society at Boonshoft Museum of Discovery. The observatory is located at Boonshoft Museum of Discovery in
Dayton, Ohio, United States.
History and Details
The observatory is named after
Project Apollo and was dedicated in 1969. Because of its location in the vicinity of a major Air Force research and development arm at
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB), it has benefited from an infusion of top-notch technical talent. With funds raised by both the Museum and the
Miami Valley Astronomical Society (MVAS), a design by
Richard Buchroeder was selected and built by members of the Society, many of whom worked in optics and engineering disciplines for the Air Force. Due to the selected design, the optical train was complex and turned out to be problematic to maintain. It was therefore later modified to a simpler
Dall-Kirkham Cassegrainian design.
The original building and the 50 cm (20-inch) telescope located in the dome were designed under the advice and guidance of MVAS members.
The original building contained an optical laboratory complete with a shock-isolated optical test bench. It also contained space on the first floor where
mirror grinding and polishing was performed.
The remodeling of the Museum in 1991 resulted in the addition of a Digistar
Planetarium
A planetarium ( planetariums or ''planetaria'') is a theatre built primarily for presenting educational and entertaining shows about astronomy and the night sky, or for training in celestial navigation.
A dominant feature of most planetarium ...
at the expense of the MVAS optical shop areas.
The second floor of the Apollo Observatory contains a large meeting room where monthly meetings and social gatherings are held. Adjacent to the meeting room is the MVAS library where members may check out most of the holdings for their use. The 50 cm telescope is also located on the second floor, just to the south of the meeting room.
The MVAS claims that the 50 cm telescope is one of the largest telescopes available to the amateur astronomer in southwest
Ohio, although increased
light pollution combined with the thermal effects of the building limit its usefulness for serious amateur study.
See also
*
List of astronomical observatories
Notes
External links
Apollo Observatory*
Weather forecasts of observing conditions.
{{Portal bar, Ohio, Astronomy, Stars, Spaceflight, Outer space, Solar System, Education, Science
Astronomical observatories in Ohio
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
Buildings and structures in Dayton, Ohio
Planetaria in the United States
Museums in Dayton, Ohio
Science museums in Ohio