Highland Road Park Observatory facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Highland Road Park Observatory |
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| Organization | Louisiana State University & Baton Rouge Astronomical Society & The Recreation & Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge |
| Location | Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States |
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Coordinates
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30°20′45.85″N 91°04′14.84″W / 30.3460694°N 91.0707889°W
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| Altitude | 5 meters (18 feet) |
| Established | 1997 |
The Highland Road Park Observatory, also known as the Baton Rouge Observatory, is a special place where people study space. It is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in the United States. This observatory is a team effort. It is run by Louisiana State University's astronomy department, the Baton Rouge Astronomical Society, and the local park commission.
The observatory opened in 1997. It helps people learn about stars, planets, and galaxies. It uses a very powerful telescope to see far into space.
The Main Telescope
The Highland Road Park Observatory has a large, powerful telescope. It is a 20-inch (51 cm) Ritchey–Chrétien telescope. This type of telescope uses special mirrors to collect light from space.
The main mirror is 20 inches across. It helps gather light from distant objects. There is also a smaller 7.25-inch mirror. Both mirrors are made from a lightweight, strong ceramic material. The telescope sits on a special mount. This mount helps it track objects as they move across the night sky. A computer system controls the telescope. This allows astronomers to point it very accurately.
The Baton Rouge Astronomical Society
The Baton Rouge Astronomical Society (B.R.A.S.) is a group of people who love space. They started in 1981 as a non-profit organization. Members of B.R.A.S. meet every month at the Highland Road Park Observatory.
These volunteers help run the observatory. They also teach others about astronomy. They do fun activities like "sidewalk astronomy." This is where they set up telescopes for the public to look through. They also work to protect dark skies. This means they try to reduce light pollution. Light pollution makes it harder to see stars.
Discovering New Worlds
The Highland Road Park Observatory is famous for discovering new objects in space. Since 1998, astronomers here have found over 40 numbered minor planets. Minor planets are small objects that orbit the Sun. They are often called asteroids.
Many astronomers have helped make these discoveries. Some of them include Walter R. Cooney Jr., Matthew Collier, Patrick M. Motl, Susannah Lazar, Katrina Wefel, Terry Martin, Merrill Hess, Geoffrey Burks, Ethan Kandler, and Meredith Howard. The observatory itself is credited with discovering one minor planet.
One special asteroid is named 11739 Baton Rouge. It was discovered by Walter R. Cooney Jr. in 1998. This asteroid is named after Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This is the city where the observatory is located. It is a way to honor the city and the observatory's work.
