Open House at Badlands Observatory
July 1 was a big day at Badlands Observatory. Those of you who have followed our journey know that we quietly began accepting visitors for Night Sky Tours in June 2021. We still had a lot of work to do on our facility and on our programming, but wanted to get some feedback as we developed our capabilities.
In September 2021, we “officially” announced our opening for Night Sky Tours and began advertising. During the winter and spring months we added more telescopes, continued improving our facility, and added more options for visitors.
Finally on July 1, 2022 we were ready to hold an Open House to kick off our new Daytime Tours. How does it work? Every day except Wednesday, we host guided tours through Gallery One (telescope making) and Gallery Two (history of Badlands Observatory). In addition visitors view the 26” Newtonian Reflector in the dome area and, (weather permitting) view the sun through our Jaegers 6” Refractor telescope equipped with solar and hydrogen alpha filters. After that.. off to the Observing deck to see our lineup of telescopes and view sunspots through one of our 10” Newtonian Reflectors with a white-light solar filter.
Unlike our Night Sky Tours, no reservation is necessary.. simply show up at 10a, 1p or 3p on Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri or Sat or at 1p or 3p on Sunday. Admission is $10 per person 10 years and older.
Our Open House was well attended and we enjoyed seeing folks from Black Hills and Badlands Tourist Association, Wall Chamber of Commerce and Black Hills Astronomical Society, a lot of old friends, as well as many new faces! Our good friend Hank Fridell was gracious to assist visitors and demonstrate telescopes on the back Observing Deck. Thanks again Hank!
We were especially grateful for the television coverage provided by Anna Hamelin, meteorologist at KNBN TV NewsCenter1. You can view her article and video interview at the link below:
https://www.newscenter1.tv/badlands-observatory-opens-doors-to-public/
Here are some photos of our facility:
