While it’s no secret that Astronomy magazine just opened its own observatory, don’t think it’s something only professionals can aspire to.
The Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association (TAAA) has been working to establish a permanent dark observing facility for more than 2 years now, and it’s impressive how much they’ve already done. After finding a good spot, the group had to convince the surrounding community they wouldn’t be lousy neighbors. Apparently, the idea of a star party conjured up images of booze and paparazzi, rather than a peaceful get-together to look at the night sky.
After enlisting the aid of local schools and community leaders, the TAAA received the appropriate paperwork and the deed to their 16 acres in early 2009. Then the hard work really began. They’re currently finishing Phase 1 of construction, meaning they’re simply making the place habitable – adding improvements like electricity, better roads, and a bathroom. Without such basic amenities, the club can’t even host a member star party.
By year’s end the TAAA hopes to begin Phase 2, which will see the construction of concrete observing pads, an observatory, an amphitheater, RV parking sites, and some other niceties. In January, they’ll choose an official name for the site (currently just called “The Dark Site”) from entries in a naming contest. Eventually they’ll move on to Phase 3, which will include a bunkhouse, more observing pads, numerous small observatories, and a caretaker’s residence.
While money has occasionally been a problem over the years, the TAAA’s lucky that its membership is so committed. One club member donated some $33,000 worth of new equipment, including four telescopes (14-inch, 11-inch, 9.25-inch, and 8-inch Celestron SCTs), an AP 1200 mount, and high-end eyepiece kits. The land itself is the gift of a group of members dubbed The Perseus Group. And, of course, all of this is strictly volunteer work – no one in the TAAA gets paid for any of it.
So the next time you’re wondering what you or your small group can do, keep the TAAA in mind. They’ve been able to accomplish some pretty ambitious goals, just by working together and planning well (and having some pretty generous members, too). And if you’re curious what it’ll be like, just wait a little and you can go see for yourself because the site will be open to the public. It just goes to show that, in many ways, astronomy really is the people’s science.
Photos credit: John Kalas