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Otter Creek Observatory is a collaborative effort between the Otter Creek
Park (which is operated by
Louisville Metro Parks), Jefferson
Community College (part
of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System), and the Challenger
Learning Center of Hardin County. The observatory is the only public
observatory in the state of Kentucky and in
the Louisville
"Kentuckiana" region.
The observatory serves many purposes. Otter Creek Observatory is
an educational facility for Jefferson
Community College and the Challenger Learning Center.
It is used by JCC's students and faculty for astronomy classes and other
work. It is part of the Challenger Learning Center’s
space-oriented educational programs.
Otter Creek Observatory is an extension of the Otter Creek
Park Nature
Center. The observatory
brings the skies to the public in the same way that the Nature Center brings the flora and fauna and
geology of the region to the public.
Otter Creek Observatory is a tool by which Otter
Creek Park,
Jefferson Community
College, and the Challenger
Learning Center
enhance their efforts to reach out to the public. Astronomy is a science
which many members of the public find particularly interesting, perhaps
because of the strong presence of space themes in movies and television
shows, or because of the high profile of the manned space program, or simply
because of the beauty and romance of the night sky.
Astronomical observatories are scientific facilities that touch
the public's imagination. By sharing resources and personnel, Otter Creek
Park, Jefferson
Community College, and the Challenger Learning Center
are able to provide the public with a very well-equipped small observatory
operated by a knowledgeable professional staff.
Operation of the observatory is overseen by Chris Graney,
Professor of Physics at Jefferson Community College and Park Astronomer for Otter Creek
Park, and by Bryan Lewis, Park
Naturalist for Otter Creek Park
and Coordinator of the Otter
Creek Park
Nature Center.
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