Observatory News
Murals on the Observatory - Eight student artists were chosen from 24 entries in the “Decorate the Observatory” art contest. Over the next few weeks the artists from Warm Springs Middle School will transfer their paintings onto the exterior walls of the observatory.
Dr. Heidi Hammel to present “Exploring the Solar System with the James Webb Telescope” - MCOF was one of 21 locations in the U.S. chosen to host a Shapley Lecturer. Dr Hammel will visit schools, libraries and give three talks open to the public in Berkeley Springs, Paw Paw and Winchester. For tickets and more information visit Upcoming Events.
These events are sponsored by the American Astronomical Association
The Celestial Courtyard Coming Soon! - MCOf’s 2026 project is creating a Celestial Courtyard in front of the observatory. The courtyard will include a roll-off shed observatory, benches for constellation gazing, sundials and a scaled solar walk along the fence line. The new shed observatory will have an adjustable pier and telescope and will increase our star gazing capacity. There will be two sundials - a traditional garden style and an “analemmatic sundial”, a special type of horizontal sundial that uses a person standing on a date marker to cast the shadow. The solar walk will start by the Greenwood School Community Center and travel along the fence with signs for each of the planets. These projects were made possible by generous grants from the Seely Foundation, Morgan County Commission and donations from our supporters.
First Light March 2026 - MCOF completed the renovation of the observatory and opened March 28 with a new 14 inch Mead Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope on a height adjustable pier. No more ladders to view the stars! The renovation included removing the old 3,000 pound Ferson Optics Telescope, which will be mounted outside as a sculpture, raising the floor to accommodate the new telescope and pier and refurbishing the classroom to include a 10 foot projection screen. First Light was attended by more than 400 people!!