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Last Updated:
January 28, 2007

Observing Facilities, Sites

'Observing' in all its forms is the heart and soul of amateur astronomy.

To meet our membership's diverse observing needs we maintain four unique regional observing sites.  Each site includes observing amenities, ranging from a simple warming structure and concrete pads to a fully-equipped observatory housing multiple telescopes.  Star parties take place at each site on a rotating basis.  Three are also available to MAS members for private use.  

For complete information on each of the Society's sites -- directions, descriptions and information regarding accessing the facilities and equipment -- click on the location of interest on the map below, or on the site name in the "Observing Site Summary" that follows:

 
 

 

Observing Site Summary

[Click on a site name for complete information.]
  Cherry Grove Baylor LLCC Metcalf
Access 24/7 24/7
(Requires pre-arrangement if after normal park hours)		 MAS Members only; Limited schedule (See events calendar) 24/7
Concrete pads Yes Yes
(Observatory
terrace)		 No Yes (3)
Electricity Yes Yes
(Outside of observatory building)		 Yes Yes
Equipment 10" Dob;
16" Newtonian;
24" Dob		 16" Cassegrain;
Meade ETX 90;
15x80 Binoculars		 None None
Nearest major town Cannon Falls Norwood-Young America Aitkin / McGregor Woodbury
Observatory Yes Yes  No No
Parking Shared with observing field Separate from observing field and observatory On or adjacent to observing field Shared with observing field
Piers No No No Yes
Privacy Off the beaten path, but on intersection of two county roads Public park Conservation Center Secluded
Restrooms Outhouse Outhouse; nearby seasonal indoor at beach; year-round indoor at park entrance Yes Outhouse
Security None Park closed to public after dark;  Caretaker on site Parking permit required Fenced and gated
Sky quality Very Dark
Twin Cities light dome to N, minor to SE; Scattered small town light domes around horizon		 Dark
Twin Cities light dome to N and NE; Scattered small town light domes around horizon		 Extremely dark Moderately polluted by St. Paul, Woodbury and surrounding communities
Sleeping Bunks in warming house (requires key) Two bunks in observatory (keyholder access only) Accommodations available to MAS members (bunks, bathroom) Bunks in warming house
Warming facility Yes
(requires
key)		 Yes
(keyholder
access
only)		 No Yes
(combination
lock)
Other Separate key required to access 24" dob   MAS-provided parking permit required;  Special access procedures  
Contact Info [Click for info] [Click for info] [Click for info] [Click for info]
 

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