(513) 695-1109 

http://www.co.warren.oh.us/parks/parks_list/hisey.htm

Welcome to the Warren County Astronomical Society web site. This society is organized for the enjoyment of astronomy for charitable, educational and scientific purposes and is located at Warren County (OH) Hisey Park a dark sky area.

Knight's Night at Rachel Hutzel Observatory

The Knight's of Columbus (St Malachy council #5128) of St Philips church in Morrow enjoyed an evening at the Rachel Hutzel observatory. The viewing was excellent with a good dark sky.

We have brought it to Warren County Hisey Park for the

Warren County Astronomical Society

The Warren County Parks District has purchased a 16' observatory dome and an 8.75" F12 refracting telescope and heavy duty mount have been donated as well.  With your help and that of the Parks District, the Warren County Parks Observatory will hopefully open in 2016!

,

sunset at Hisey

 

Jeff Blazey with maksutov telescope

 

 

photos courtesy of Carol Soehner

First WCAS hosted event at Hutzel Observatory. Cub Scouts from Lebanon, Ohio

The Opening October 3rd, 2014

photo courtesy Walt Davis (note the rainbows)

It was cold, and rainy, and windy, all day on Friday.  We had determined in advance to go ahead with the dedication ceremony even if we could not open the roof and use the telescope.  Less than an hour before the scheduled beginning, as guests were arriving, the wind stopped, the rain stopped, the sky cleared and a warming sun came out in a perfectly clear sky.  You sort of had to be there, but most of were thinking this had to be Providence, that we were getting some help from above.  If you had any doubt about that, the clincher arrived precisely at 7:00, the scheduled start time.  Have a look.

We had a very successful opening, with about 200 guests attending to see the amazing building, the magnificent engravings, and the awe-inspiring telescope.  The skies darkened and remained clear, a vivid moon shone directly above, we opened the roof, and a long line formed to mount the viewing platform and see the lunar geography, up close and personal.  It was so great to hear every little kid and almost all adults put their eye to the eyepiece on the telescope, and say “Oh Wow!”  In these days of video games and 3D movies, it doesn’t get any better than that.  If you missed it, make arrangements with Camp Joy or the Warren County Astronomical Society to take the family and friends out for a great night of exploring our Universe.   http://www.wcas-oh.org/class_index.cfm

Walt

(More photos posted on left hand tab <<<<entitled "Grand Opening 10/3/2014")

At the first general meeting on Friday September 19th, several surveys were taken by those in attendance. The first survey was one of "Personal Interests" and the second was "Possible Educational Topics". These surveys will help to guide us as we move forward into the future.

Here are the survey results:

"Personal Interests"

Visual Astronomy (viewing)                                                       100%

Trip to special sites (such as Grren Bank radio tel.)                 82%

Astro-Imaging (Deep Sky)                                                            73%

Astro-Imaging (Planetary)                                                            73%

Building up Hisey Park for viewing purposes                           73%

Involvement with Camp Joy (teaching astronomy)                   73%

Involvement in projects at both Hisey Park and Camp Joy     73%

Education (Basic Astronomy & current events)                        64%

Education (Advanced Astronomy discussions)                        64%

Visiting other observatories & planetariums                             55%

Education - teaching astronomy to school kids and scouts    55%

Equipment discussion "Show & Tell"                                        55%

Education on  Hutzel Observatory software                              36%

Radio-Astronomy (non-visual wavelengths                              27%

Solar scientific observation                                                        27%

Lens Making                                                                                 18%

Telescope making                                                                        18%

Spectrum Analysis (of light from stars)                                     18%

Organizing Observation & Fundrasing

Interface with Observatory Foundation

Sidewalk astronomy

Basics on using telescopes

Possible Educational Topics

Introduction to astronomy                                                             80%

Planning observing sessions                                                        70%

Eyepieces                                                                                        70%

Mars, Saturn,exo-planets                                                               60%

Equipment Basics                                                                           50%

Astronomy for Scouts                                                                    50%

Filters                                                                                               40%

Motion due to orbit                                                                          20%

Motion due to rotation                                                                     20%

Precession                                                                                        20%

Craters of the moon                                                                         10%

Basics                                                                                               10%

Space Travel                                                                                     10%

Thanks to all who attended and participated.

Fred Bay

Getting close to showtime

We have grass!

The granite map is nearing completion

New pictures (7/12/2014) of Laying the sidewalk pavers & Landscaping at the Rachel Hutzel Observatory. Check them out under the Rachel Hutzel Observatory tab on the left hand side <<<<<<

New pictures of the ceremony thanking those from the Warren County Career Center who built the Rachel A. Hutzel Observatory. Check them out by clicking on the "WCCC Ceremony" tab on the left hand side <<<

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"Warren County, the telescope has been installed & Calibrated !"

Thanks to some of the people from (WCCC) who made it a reality !

Construction pictures  -- check under "Rachel Hutzel Observatory" on the left hand tab<<<.

There is a new tab showing the "Installation of  the telescope" at Camp Joy<<<

Articles from "The Planetary Society"

Star Size

Courtesy of Ken Katowik

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2013/25apr_saturn/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=HN7I9KQjVG8

Groundbreaking for the Rachel A. Hutzel Observatory at Camp Joy

April 13th

<<<<<<(Click on the Rachel Hutzel Observatory tab on left hand side)

(courtesy of Joe Tarkany)

photo courtesy of D. Griggs (taken in Death Valley)

Clear Sky Chart - Warren County Hisey Park Area