Otter Creek Observatory -- Jefferson Community College -- Louisville Metro Parks

Jeff Haynes
Carolyn McCloud
Donnie Basham
E. R. Kline
Tim Goins
Sysco, Inc.
Jimmy Fitts
Clark's At Otter Creek
Brother Bob Cordle
Lee Coffee
Evan Ames
Kevin Triplett
Adina Faith Davis
Joseph Claycomb
Trista Lee Davis
Wayne Denner
Ashley Marie Noel
Ron Wheeler
Keri Faye Noel
Thomas Thompson
Jennifer Taylor Noel
Garry Coomer
William Brent Davis
Dan Cannon
Tiffany Ann Davis
Karl Schmidt
Chelsea Alix Denner
Amy Pace
Billy Wayne Denner
Karen Harle
Linda Denner
Richard Stearman
Eddie Denner
Steve Bayers
Thomas & Phyllis Ruegg
Sherman Shields
Bailey's Lock & Key
Walter Shields
Jonathan Waggoner
Jill Biel
The Duffy Family
Steve Robinson
The Krahling Family
Jeff Haynes
Hugh Nelson & Family
Frank Lundy
Tyler A. Cox
Merranda Troutman
Evan W. Cox
Karen M. Wright
Barry, Debbie, Joshua & Miranda Goldsmith
Cody M. Sparks
Autumn C. Sparks
May 13, 1995
Don Sparks
33.1 inch telescope
Jann Hall
Jeff & Evelyn Lockwood
J.A. Talcott
Susan Spencer 9/23/95 Saw Saturn
Carole Talcott
David, Betty, Shane, Stephanie, Jerry, Ben & Jennifer
Frank Lovell
Simpsonville Hardware
Robert & Bonnie
Gloria Warren
Mark Tucker
Carol Shields
Chris Thomas & Shannon Mitchell: Stargazers
Roy T. Gilland
Glen Hammer
George Hall
Jenni Davis
Tim Gray
John White
Ryan Snyder
Bernie Smith
Nicholle Snyder
Louis & Beverly Deur
Deb's Little Groom Room
Matt Pettinga
Jeff McKinney
Luke Pettinga
Jenny McKinney
Eric Hernando
Elaine McKinney
Donald & Delores Traxler
Jena McKinney
Hammer/Meis ABR Boards 1995
French McKinney
Ralph Hedgepeth
Micah McKinney
The Stellar Seller, Inc.
Ed & Ruth Hoepfner 10/15/95 EH
Sam Shields
Tom Rausch
Jim & Trudy Ranz
Karen, Jeff, Jary & Jennifer Byrley
Philip Michael Foreman 11/19/95
Bill, Phyllis, Brenna & Jacob White
Baby Byrley 1996
Brad & Christina Webb
Chris Meany & Family
Rick Robol Family
Adam L. Flener
Bruce Montana
Amy Montana
Matthew McCloud
Wayne Conover
Vickie Weixler
Aubrey Craven
Steve Armbrust
Barbara Bush
David Wayne Hunt
Dr. Austin Bloch
Mary Frances Bloch
Max Allen Hovious
Steve Surowski
Dennis Fox
Boy Scout Troop #241
Jack Kudrau
Byron Crawford
Cory Riley & Laura Riley
Bill & Patsie Peak
Kelly & Robin Phillips
Faline Hill
Mike Schulte
Mark Bennett

OBSERVATORY HISTORY

Astronomy has been an integral part of Otter Creek Park Programs for many years. David Shields was the forerunner of astronomical awareness at Otter Creek Park. He conducted star parties that entertained and educated many park visitors such as Elderhostel, scouting and school groups. David dreamed of having an observatory where everyone would have a place to come and learn about the night sky.

In 1994, David and Karl Schmidt discussed plans for an observatory. Key contributors in the planning stage or construction of the observatory were Richard Stearman, Karen Harle, Amy Pace, and park maintenance personnel.

Construction of the observatory began in January of 1995. Many weekends of hard labor followed and are documented in the pictures seen here.

From the beginning and through the construction stages local avid astronomers and astronomy enthusiasts funded the observatory through generous donations of funds, materials, and effort. These donors, as well as additional donors from over the years, are recognized at left.

The telescopic equipment was also donated to the observatory. The original main instrument, the C-11, was donated by Jeff Haynes. The University of Louisville donated two other instruments. Smaller telescopes were donated by astronomy enthusiasts.

The observatory saw first light during the 1995 fall equinox "Star Party".

The observatory has witnessed many spectacular astronomical events such as comet Hyakutake and comet Hale-Bopp. From its opening through the summer of 2000, the observatory's staff astronomers shared the night sky with many park visitors. Over the years staff astronomers have included Karl Schmidt, Chris Thomas, Richard Stearman, and Roger Curry.

These staff members entertained visitors with astronomical events such as lunar eclipses and planetary oppositions of Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn which always generated excitement among many of the observatory's visitors. Other events such as annual meteor showers and supernovas in distant galaxies have delighted many visitors who were lucky enough to witness such rare events.

By the summer of 2000, however, the observatory was in need of significant physical maintenance. It was also apparent that if the observatory was to grow it would need a Park Astronomer who could oversee the operation, maintenance, and growth of the observatory on a long-term basis. Bryan Lewis initiated a partnership with Jefferson Community College to operate the observatory, and Chris Graney, physics professor at Jefferson Community College's Southwest Campus, became the Park Astronomer.

From July 2000 through December 2000 Chris and Bryan renovated the observatory using equipment from JCC and materials and personnel from Otter Creek Park. Operated under the Jefferson Community College/Otter Creek Park Partnership and brimming with new equipment, the Observatory was better than ever.

2004 saw the observatory take some big steps forward. For one, Jefferson Community College was able to offer significantly increased support in terms of budget. This allowed the observatory to acquire some substantial new equipment for its daytime programs. It also allowed the observatory to begin forming plans for the future based on a modest recurring budget.

The second big step of 2004 was that the Challenger Learning Center joined the observatory partnership. The Challenger Learning Center provided additional staff and equipment for the observatory. The observatory is now operated under the Jefferson Community College/Challenger Learning Center/Otter Creek Park Partnership! These three institutions have pooled resources to create a thriving public facility that boasts a fine collection of instruments and a knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff.