Apollo Observatory, Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, 2600 DeWeese Parkway, Dayton, Ohio 45414, (937) 275-7431, Email: [email protected], Cheri Adams, Director of Astronomy
Exterior of Museum Topped by Observatory Dome The original building and the 50cm (~ 20-inch) telescope located in the dome were designed with the advice and guidance of the Miami Valley Astronomical Society (MVAS). The telescope was built by members and its truss framework enclosed to provide shielding from ambient light.
Apollo Observatory's 50-centimeter Telescope The Observatory was built by the Museum using grant money from local foundations, and labor and materials donated from local businesses. The second floor of the Apollo Observatory contains a large meeting room where monthly meetings and social gatherings are held. The 50cm telescope is also located on the second floor, just to the south of the meeting room.
Observatory Viewed from the Meeting Room A glass wall permits casual inspection of the telescope by visitors, although the entire observatory is open for public viewing during observing nights. The Apollo Observatory is open free to the public every clear Friday from 8:00 to 11:00 PM. Visitors should call the museum at (937) 275-7431 after 7:30 PM to ascertain that it is clear at the museum.
The Junior Observing and Training Station Directly north of the Apollo Observatory is the Junior Observing and Training Station, more commonly called the Junior Observatory. Built in 1971, primarily by young member volunteer labor, the medium-sized unheated building with its twin roll-off roofs shelters five permanently-mounted telescopes: a long-focus 8-inch Newtonian reflector, a short-focus 8-inch Schmidt-Newtonian, a short-focus 12-inch Schmidt Newtonian, a 10-inch Cassegrain, and a 5 1/2-inch refractor. The telescopes had been used for public observing sessions conducted by the MVAS and Museum but the facility is not currently employed.
