STAR GAZING from Pg 13
and enjoy live video feeds from the various ob-
servatory telescopes throughout the night.
If you are wondering how this observatory
ended up in Carver County, we must go back in
MAS history. In 1973, a group of amateur astron-
omers originally associated with the 3M Astro-
nomical Society formed the Twin Cities Astron-
omy Club. As the organization grew, it obtained
non-profi t status. In 1980, the group was able to
obtain a large telescope from the University of
Minnesota in Duluth, dismantled it, and stored
it in the Twin Cities suburbs. In 1980, they also
changed the name to Minnesota Astronomical
Society (MAS). In 1987, after a 12-month selec-
tion process which considered nine public and
private locations around the Twin Cities, the so-
ciety selected Baylor Regional Park as home of
its future observatory. It took a year to work with
the various county and governmental commis-
sions to get a long-term lease approved. Today,
the county owns the park. MAS leases a parcel of
land within the park. MAS also owns the build-
ings and equipment.
In 1997, MAS members constructed the fi rst
building using sweat equity. Weekend after week-
end, members would show up to help build the
Onan Observatory building. During the years
before and during construction, MAS worked to
secure donations from organizations and individ-
uals to help fund the project. In 1998, electrical
service with McLeod Co-op Power was installed
at the site. In 2000, the building was completed
and the telescope they had purchased 20 years
earlier from U of M, Duluth was installed. The
observatory opened to the public in April of
2000. In 2013, the Sylvia A. Casby Observatory
and HotSpot Classroom were added. A detailed
history of fundraising, and each step of building
construction is chronicled on the MAS website.
Most of the building materials and the tele-
scopes have been donated by a generous bene-
factor. MAS operates on dues collected from its
500 members, donations from visitors, and occa-
sional grants. It makes its educational programs
available to the public, schools, groups, etc. at
no charge. MAS members volunteer to run the
programs and public viewing sessions. The MAS
group is very dedicated, as they travel from all
parts of the Twin Cities and central Minnesota
to invest time at the Eagle Lake Observatory.
Visitors to Baylor Park purchase either a daily or
seasonal car parking pass to enter the park and
observatory site.
MAS has been organized exclusively for chari-
table, educational, and scientifi c purposes. It seeks
14
Senior
to create camaraderie among all people
through mutual interest in astronomy. It
established and maintains observational
and informational facilities for the ben-
efi t of the membership and the commu-
nity and seeks to promote knowledge of
astronomy.
If you have interest in astronomy or
just want to take your family on an inex-
pensive but fun and educational night out
under the stars, head to a public viewing
party at Baylor Park. It is located right in
your backyard.
Close up viewing of the moon’s surface show on the monitor from
a previous viewing.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Advancing
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