The Shreveport-Bossier Astronomical Society has finished $30,000 of repairs and upgrades to Ralph A. Worley Observatory, located eight miles south of Shreveport. The 1960s era building needed work that greatly exceeded the society’s budget, according to longtime board member Cran Lucas.
“The decades take their toll on any building. Things had gotten pretty bad. We were fortunate to get several grants that enabled us to really begin to do some serious repairs, upgrades and painting. The rotunda has an entirely new roof now,” Lucas said.
The renovated dome has enabled the amateur astronomers to install a new 14-inch Meade telescope. It will be permanently on loan from LSU Shreveport. Lucas hopes to have the new telescope installed by Saturday, the next public event.
“People are always impressed by walking up to the dome and seeing a big telescope up there. We’re going to be back to doing that very shortly,” Lucas said.
Astronomy society members will have about a dozen telescopes set up at Worley Observatory on Saturday, May 23, during its spring star party, an event that dates back to the organization’s founding in 1959. The moon, Jupiter and Venus will be on display from 8 – 10 p.m. Another star party June 20 will be held at the American Rose Center in Shreveport.
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