Powell Observatory facts for kids
Powell Observatory is a special place near Louisburg, Kansas in Miami County, Kansas, where people can look at the stars and planets. It's an astronomical observatory, which means it has very powerful telescopes to help us see far into space. It's open to the public, and members of the Astronomical Society of Kansas City (ASKC) also use it for their own stargazing and research.
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Discovering Powell Observatory
Powell Observatory is located in Lewis-Young Park, just north of Louisburg. Members of the Astronomical Society of Kansas City built this amazing observatory in 1984. It's a great place to learn about space and see incredible things in the night sky.
Powerful Telescopes at Powell
The observatory has several large telescopes. Its main telescope is called a Ruisinger Newtonian reflector. This telescope has a huge mirror, about 30-inch (76 cm) (76 cm) wide, which helps gather light from distant objects. This big telescope is housed inside a special dome that opens up to the sky.
Besides the main telescope, there are others too:
- A 16-inch (41 cm) (41 cm) telescope is used for public programs, so everyone can get a turn to look.
- A 12-inch (30 cm) (30 cm) computer-controlled telescope is used for special research projects and by ASKC members.
The observatory also has a small room for meetings and lectures, and a visitor's center where you can learn more.
Stargazing for Everyone
Powell Observatory welcomes visitors for regular public programs. These programs happen every weekend from May through October. During these events, the telescopes are open for everyone to view the night sky. It's one of the largest telescopes in the United States that is regularly open to the public for stargazing!
Fun Programs and Events
The observatory is supported by membership fees from the ASKC and by donations. In 2009, for example, they had "Starbright" programs on Saturday nights. These events started at dusk and included interesting talks about astronomy by ASKC members and guest speakers. Visitors could also take a tour of the observatory. If the sky was clear, everyone got to look through the telescopes.
On many clear evenings and most weekends, ASKC members bring their own telescopes to the observatory's courtyard. They are happy to show visitors around the night sky and answer any questions you might have about stars, planets, and galaxies.
A Space Rock Named Louisburg
Did you know that a minor planet (a small space rock) is named after Louisburg, Kansas? It's called 25890 Louisburg. This is a special way to honor the town where Powell Observatory helps us explore the universe!
