Windows to the Universe April 28, 2018
The April Window to the Universe at Taylor Observatory is an evening about telescopes, featuring Tom Schlief presenting, “All About Telescopes”. Tom is a noted local astronomer and Member of the Friends of Taylor Board. This event is also a chance to bring your own telescope and receive instructions on its use from Taylor’s astronomers.
NOTE: Taylor will be open at 6:30, especially for those wanting to bring a telescope for instruction/evaluation. Partly cloudy skies are forecasted, but we are hopeful. The new Teeter Telescope is now in service. There was a learning curve, but we do have the telescope in full operation.
Check this link for more details about our “All About Telescopes” event.
Planetarium and Telescope Program for Taylor Observatory at our April Event
We’ll continue our tour through the winter/spring constellations with Taylor Board member Eduardo Alatorre describing one or two constellations in detail. Visitors can then view these constellations outside, and, weather permitting, and observe associated deep sky objects.
Status of the new Teeter Dobsonian Telescope
After a very long wait, we have the new Teeter Dobsonian telescope and April’s Window to the Universe meeting is your chance to be among Lake County’s first residents to see this exciting new Taylor Observatory Telescope. Please join us for an enjoyable program, followed by telescope observations from the Observatory’s new Charles Nieman Star Deck.
The Charles W. Nieman Star Deck
As mentioned in previous postings, the Lake County Board of Education voted to name our new outdoor observation platform, at Taylor Observatory, the Charles W. Nieman Star Deck, in recognition of Mr. Nieman’s substantial bequeathal to Taylor Observatory. To make viewing a great experience, we are constructing a light-shielding fence between the parking lot and the Stardeck.
A Reminder
FOTO’s primary goal is fundraising. Typically, planetarium shows cost $3,000-$5,000. When we bring in an expert from outside the Northern California, there are expenses. Donations are thus always welcome, with the reminder that our primary mission is to provide an outstanding educational observatory resource for Lake County’s K-12 students. Last year, we adopted the new policy that Lake County K-12 students have free admission to monthly Windows events.
Our Homepage has a convenient PayPal donation button or visit our Join/Support Page and think about how you can be part of our Mission!
FOTO is a 501 c 3 CA Corporation
Keep in touch by visiting our Facebook page “Friends of Taylor Observatory” .
For our Dark Sky Certification Initiative, please visit and like our Facebook Group page: “Dark Skies – Lake County CA.”
We are seeking to promote Lake County tourism with astro-tourism visits and to preserve our wonderful dark skies for future generations of Lake County CA students. We are seeking volunteers for this effort — let us know your interest and skills (haddon.bill@gmail.com)