Louisville Astronomical Society

Louisville Astronomical Society

News

  • Wed, February 21, 2024 10:18 PM | Michael Harris (Administrator)

    I suppose some of our members have seen the ads but Celestron will soon begin shipping their Origin system. It is basically a high end EEA system built around a Rowe-Ackerman optical tube with built in camera and built in StarSense alignment and platesolving technology. They are priced at $4000 but one could be the center piece of a public event. They even do some AI stacking and processing. And can cast the image to a nearby large screen TV for public displays. Pricey, and maybe a future purchase for the public events? We shall see.

  • Mon, January 17, 2022 5:00 PM | Warren Philpot (Administrator)

    The LAS is pleased to partner with the Louisville Free Public Library (LFPL) to restart a telescope lending program for the Louisville area. The Southwest Branch of the LFPL has been provided with three Orion Starblast Newtonian tabletop reflectors. These will allow patrons to see the planets and some of the brighter deep sky objects such as the Orion Nebula and the Andromeda Galaxy.

    More Info...

  • Tue, March 14, 2017 12:41 PM | Warren Philpot (Administrator)

    Since 2000, the LAS has owned a forty acre dark site in southern Indiana less than one hour away from downtown Louisville. Its official name is the James G. Baker Center for Astronomy. But all of us in the Louisville Astronomical Society just call it Curby after the small town in southern Indiana that is just a few miles away.

    Curby-Aerial ViewWhat is a dark sky site? As the name implies, it is a place of wonder where you can look up and see the Milky Way horizon to horizon and galaxies naked eye. Curby has an light controlled observing field between a well-equipped MPB we call T-2 and a roll-off roof observatory where three mighty telescopes wait to open up the night sky for observations of the moon, planets, galaxies and deep sky objects.

    Curby-Setting up scopesThese instruments, a 16” Meade SCT, a 150mm Astrophyics Starfire Refractor and a Celestron C-14 are ready for you to stargaze through in style. In fact, our building size and its instruments make it the largest observatory in the region. LAS members come together here monthly on Member Night to talk astronomy, observe and enjoy their passion together. We also offer Public Programs and scout astronomy merit badge programs to promote astronomy which is our club’s mission.

    When you need a break, our climate-controlled multi-purpose building is just steps away. T-2 is at the front of the field and features his and her restrooms, a kitchen and a classroom equipped with computers and programs to help you plan your viewing.

    Be prepared to see the night sky as you cannot see it from Louisville. Come to Curby for member night or public night!

    It is included in your membership and is a great asset for all.

    For directions, go to the observing venues section of this website. Enjoy!


  • Tue, July 26, 2016 8:39 PM | Warren Philpot (Administrator)

    Well, it took us a few months but we have the first listings for member training on your LAS website. The first training listed will be for orientation at the James G. Baker Center for Astronomy at Curby. Before you can sign up to use the observatory on your own, you will need to take this training.

    For more information, log in and visit the Curby training series listed on the website menu under Members Only. (Note: You won't see the Members Only menu if you don't log in. Funny how that works.)

    Enjoy and be sure to tell Ron Yates thanks for offering this orientation training.

    And...if you have an interest in other training/guidance we might offer, just drop us an email on the Contact page.

  • Sat, April 16, 2016 7:00 AM | Warren Philpot (Administrator)

    Check back here in the future to read about new happenings at the LAS.

Copyright 2024 The Louisville Astronomical Society, Inc.

The Louisville Astronomical Society, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. P.O. Box 17554, Louisville, KY 40217


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