Snow King Observatory and Planetarium facts for kids
Snow King Observatory and Planetarium is an exciting project planned for the top of Snow King Mountain in Jackson, Wyoming. Imagine looking at the stars from a special building high up in the mountains! This amazing place will be built on land owned by the US Forest Service. It will be located at the very top of the mountain, which is about 7,808 feet (2,379 meters) high.
Contents
What is the Snow King Observatory and Planetarium?
This project is all about exploring space and learning about the stars. It will have two main parts: an observatory and a planetarium. An observatory is a building with powerful telescopes to look at real stars and planets. A planetarium is a special theater that shows movies and images of space on a big dome-shaped screen, making you feel like you're flying through the universe!
Who is Behind This Project?
The idea for this awesome facility came from a dedicated amateur astronomer named Samuel Singer. An amateur astronomer is someone who loves studying space as a hobby. Samuel Singer started a nonprofit group called Wyoming Stargazing in 2014. A nonprofit group uses its money to help people or a cause, not to make a profit for owners. Wyoming Stargazing is working hard to make the Snow King Observatory and Planetarium a reality.
Where Will It Be Built?
The planetarium will be part of a larger building at the mountain's summit. This building will be quite big, about 25,000 square feet (2,322 square meters). It will also include a restaurant where people can eat and a place for the ski patrol. The ski patrol helps keep skiers safe on the mountain. The observatory will be a separate, smaller building, about 500 square feet (46 square meters).
What About the Environment?
Building something new in a natural area like a mountain requires careful planning. In January 2020, the people who manage the Bridger–Teton National Forest released a draft environmental impact statement. This is a detailed report that looks at how a new project might affect the environment. It helps make sure that any construction is done in a way that protects nature.
