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The Killarney Provincial Park Observatory is a small observatory located in Killarney Provincial Park at the George Lake Campground (near Killarney, Ontario, Canada). Opened on July 17, 2010, the site was chosen for its exceptionally dark skies (sky meter reading of 21.75 last recorded in 2012). The observatory and telescope were donated by the Waters family to celebrate 25 consecutive years of astronomy lectures by Bruce Waters to over 5,000 park visitors. It is the first public observatory running in any Ontario Provincial Park.
Contents
The Killarney Provincial Park Observatory utilizes a SkyShed GPOD XL3 with two doors and houses a Meade 10" LX5 telescope. The dome is made completely from Re-Cycled plastic (Re-HDPE) and the telescope sits on a steel pier. The telescope and observatory sit on a deck with two ramps (to ease the movement of people) donated by the Friends of Killarney Park. On January 29, 2011 the Gardner family, donated and installed a Losmandy G11 mount. This generous donation has greatly augmented the capability of the system; especially making it easier for first time observers to use the facility.
While the Observatory will be used for special large audience presentations (with upwards of 200 people) and by the Natural Heritage Education (NHE) park interpreters, the real beauty of the facility is that it has been optimized for self serve use. This allows anyone visiting the park free access to a high quality amateur observatory and, in this regard, the Killarney Provincial Park Observatory may be the first free, public, self use facility in North America.
Currently available for staff-led public use. The system is being given a final shake down before re-opening for Public self Use/sign out.
Astronomer in Residence Program
Established in 2012, the Killarney Provincial Park "Astronomer in Residence" program sees experienced guest astronomers providing their services to the park on a daily basis. These resident astronomers provide a variety of educational services in support of the NHE programs. Such services include: daily observatory training, solar observing, night sky observing and other programs that encompass a wide variety of information that is related to both astronomy and its relationship to the Killarney Provincial Park experience
What the Observatory Offers
The list below* will be useful in planning a trip to the facility. Please note that, while the primary instrument is a Meade LX 5 series telescope, the Losmandy G11 mount with control console has been added in place of the original fork mount.
*note: additional equipment is available for more advanced observers from the Park staff.
Camper's Guide to the Universe
In 2011, a unique guide book was published in which all of the proceeds are to be directed towards supporting the Observatory as well as other Friends of Killarney Park activities. "A Camper's Guide to the Universe", has useful stories, anecdotes and lots of great information derived from Bruce Waters' astronomy talks in the park. This book is geared towards campers and lay folk who are interested in an introductory field guide to the skies.