Community Observatory facts for kids
The Community Observatory is a special place in Placerville, California, where everyone can learn about space and look at the stars. It's located at the El Dorado Learning Center. This observatory opened in 2006. It was created by the Rotarians of Cameron Park, who wanted to offer a free, fun place for families to explore the night sky. Many groups work together to run it, including volunteers, Folsom Lake College, the El Dorado County Office of Education, and the Rotarians.
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What Can You See and Do?
The Community Observatory is a great spot to explore the night sky. You can look through powerful telescopes and learn about stars, planets, and galaxies. It's a place where you can discover the wonders of the universe.
The Art Cort Sky Theater
In 2011, the Rotarians of Cameron Park added the Art Cort Sky Theater. This is a comfortable area where visitors can relax and gaze up at the stars. Volunteers often give tours of the constellations here. They help you find different star patterns in the night sky.
Powerful Telescopes
The observatory has two large telescopes that are always ready for viewing. One is a 17-inch Planewave CDK telescope. The other is a 14-inch Celestron SCT telescope. This Celestron telescope has special equipment, including a Hyperstar optic system and an Atik Infinity Camera. These tools help capture amazing images of space.
Friendly Volunteers
Many volunteers, who are called docents, help at the observatory. These are people who love astronomy and want to share their knowledge. They can tell you all about the different objects you see in space. They also explain how the observatory and its telescopes work. Their goal is to make your visit educational and fun.
Visiting the Observatory
Since it opened, the Community Observatory has welcomed over 80,000 visitors. It's a popular place for families and anyone interested in space. You can find out the current visiting hours on their website or Facebook page.
