Facilities
The Support Building
This structure will be used as a gathering
place and information resource for visitors to the observatory. Audio visual
programs and educational presentations will be offered to complement visual
observations at the telescopes.
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Roll Off Roof Structure
The specialized roll off roof will allow a full
sky view for numerous telescopes in a safe and protected environment optimized
for visual observation.
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The Dome
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All of the structures have wheelchair accessibility.
Drawings courtesy of Heather Maxwell
Design Summary
The Society has identified key elements necessary to accommodate the mission and vision we have for the use and enjoyment of the facility. To date, key elements are: Telescope The 25” Telescope will be used and appreciated by academic, member, and public participants. Dome and Roll-off Roof Structures The dome and roll-off roof observatory buildings will shelter the telescopes and astronomers while allowing the telescopes to pan around the sky for celestial objects. Observing Field Situated next to the main support building, the observing field allows those who bring their own telescope to have a suitable surface to operate their telescope from. Main Structure Meeting Room/Common Room A meeting room will allow classroom lectures, instruction to groups, and house educational items for visitors. The main building will also have a small kitchen and bathroom as well as sleeping quarters for an RASC OC member caretaker, or overnight research members. Outdoor Planetarium Part of the property landscape includes a natural amphitheatre, which will be developed with concentric seating around a central podium from which astronomer guides will utilize an audio system and astronomical lasers to point out and describe celestial objects. Parking Lot The parking lot is intended to be lower in elevation from the observatory to minimize disturbances to telescopes and astronomers from automobile headlights. Disabled Access To enhance the experience of handicap visitors, we will have an articulated
eyepiece to allow direct visual observations, close vehicular access,
ramped entry where needed, handicap washroom, and an audiovisual connection
from telescope to meeting room to enable remote viewing if required. |
Handicap Access
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