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

OBSERVATORY PROGRAMS & SERVICES

A variety of programs and services are available through Otter Creek Observatory.

The observatory offers to the public monthly public observation sessions, a Mobile Telescope program, and a telescope loaning program. All these programs are free of charge.
The observatory is available for use by science and astronomy classes, including college and university classes.
Special programs at the observatory can be arranged for groups visiting Otter Creek Park and who wish to visit the observatory as part of a larger slate of Otter Creek Park activities.
Special programs can also be arranged for individuals and groups with particular interest in astronomy who may wish to use the observatory's facilities.
College credit and continuing education classes are also available through the observatory and Jefferson Community College.
The observatory is available to persons interested in using the facility for scientific research projects.

The observatory exists to serve the public by increasing awareness of and general knowledge of astronomy, and by promoting astronomy education and astronomical research at a variety of levels. If you have a need that you think the observatory may be able to fulfill, contact the observatory. The observatory staff will work with you to meet your needs.

With the exception of Otter Creek Park public programs and Jefferson Community College classes, observatory use does entail costs. Fees vary for single-session use of the observatory by individuals or groups, ongoing observing programs, observing programs requiring use of the observatory's more sensitive equipment, and observing programs for large groups. College and continuing education credit courses will have tuition and other fees associated with them.

With the exception of the most basic programs for the general public, the services and programs offered by the Observatory are not pre-packaged activities--they are created and planned by the observatory staff to meet the individual needs of persons or groups. As such, once a prospective user contacts the park astronomer it may take some time to assemble a program, estimate costs, and so forth. This is particularly true for persons wanting to use more advanced equipment or wanting college or continuing education credit.

Public Observing Sessions:

The observatory holds public observing programs -- where the observatory is opened up for public use -- each month. These sessions are free. For more information on public observing sessions, click here.

Mobile Telescope Program:

The Mobile Telescope program which brings the observatory to the public in the city and other locations. For more information on the Mobile Telescope, click here.

Colleges and Schools (including Home School):

The Observatory particularly welcomes students of all levels who are studying astronomy in particular and science in general. The observatory staff can devise a program for your class, or can assist your class in developing its own observing program. Class programs can be either single-session or ongoing.

Groups Visiting Otter Creek Park:

Many different groups come to Otter Creek Park to take part in the Park's large selection of group programs. These groups include Elderhostel, church, scout, and other groups.

Individuals and Groups with Particular Astronomical Interests:

The Observatory is available to individuals and groups with a particular interest in astronomy. These may include amateur astronomers, astronomy clubs, school science clubs, after-school science programs, and so forth. The observatory staff can devise a program for your group, or can assist you in developing your own observing program. These programs can be either single-session or ongoing.

College Credit and Continuing Education Courses:

Through Jefferson Community College, for-credit classes can be offered at the observatory. Both college credit and continuing education credit courses are available to interested parties. The Observatory is particularly interested in providing for-credit classes to teachers in the region who need additional science education for professional development purposes and who wish to pursue that education in a settling different from the traditional science lecture and laboratory course.

Researchers:

The observatory welcomes all persons wishing to use the facility for research purposes. While the Observatory's telescopes are small by research standards, the observatory does offer dark skies, a CCD camera, and support equipment and personnel.