LIMA — While space may be the final frontier, Schoonover Observatory brings the stars a little closer to Lima residents.
Housed in Schoonover Park, the observatory is run by volunteers who are members of the Lima Astronomical Society. Every Friday at dusk, they open their doors to the public for observation of the skies as weather permits.
The Lima Astronomical Society was founded in 1952 by Lima student Herbert Doughty. The observatory was built in 1964 through funding from the Thomas R. Schoonover family, members of the society, and the Lima parks district.
Recently, the observatory added a computerized telescope mount through a grant from the city’s Parks, Recreation and Forestry Division and several donations. The mount makes it easier to locate specific celestial objects for closer observation.
“Over the 50-some years we’ve been here, we, as a club, have put almost a quarter of a million dollars into this observatory,” said Mike Ritchie, a member of the society.
While Lima City officials are fans, many area residents are surprised to learn Lima has an observatory and that it is open to the public. The club has been reaching out to local schools and teachers to increase public awareness and to spark interest in astrophysics.
“Students who are interested in astronomy tend to do better at math, physics, and other sciences later in life,” Ritchie said.
He has brought telescopes to Elida Local, Bath Local, Lima City, and Van Wert City schools in recent months when speaking to science classes.
The club also partners with the Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District, the Summer Moon Festival, and Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts for their astronomy badges.
Family memberships for the Lima Astronomical Society are $25; single memberships are $20. Tax-deductible donations are welcomed by the club. During the summer, the Schoonover Observatory is open every Friday at dusk; during the winter it opens every first Friday at sundown.
Information can be found by contacting the Lima Astronomical Society via email at [email protected].
.neFileBlock {
margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
padding-bottom: 5px;
padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
font-size: 85%;
}
A number of telescopes are on display in the Schoonover Observatory.
A plaque at the Schoonover Observatory honors Thomas Schoonover.
A 14-inch Celestron telescope is in the dome of the Schoonover Observatory.
