RFO operations are made possible by a small staff and nearly 200 dedicated volunteers from the Valley of the Moon Observatory Association—some of whom gather here at RFO’s annual appreciation party. [Photo courtesy RFO]
an essay on their interest in astronomy. Nearly 40 years after the Striking Sparks launched, 298 telescopes have been awarded. “RFO and the Striking Sparks program carry on Dad’s passion for amateur astronomers sharing their knowledge, inspiring young people to learn math and science—and become better people by getting out under the night sky and looking up. “He would love what’s going on at RFO and be proud of the observatory that bears his name.” …started by volunteers The nonprofit Valley of the Moon Observatory Association (VMOA), under the auspices of the California State Parks, is responsible for RFO’s operation and maintenance. Approximately 200 dedicated volunteers and professional astronomers, plus a small support staff, provide educational programs about science and astronomy for students, the public and educators. The observatory’s construction, largely done by volunteers, took place over a six-year period from 1997 to 2003. The complex consists of two wings, a dome, a library and a classroom. “Sugarloaf State Park is the perfect setting,” says Stephanie Derammelaere, executive director. “The surrounding hills reduce light pollution providing visitors with a clearer view of the night sky.” On the occasional cloudy evening, visitors can check out the Clear Sky Chart on the RFO website before heading up the mountain. The forecast provided by the Canadian Meteorological Centre is specifically designed for astronomers. The west wing houses a 40-inch reflector scope. It is the largest publicly accessible scope in Northern California. Dubbed “Project 40,” a team of five volunteers constructed the telescope over a 10-year period. George Loyer, founder of VMOA and current vice-president, was one of the team
members. He provided digital illustrations, constructed an interferometer for testing the mirror surface and designed the drive system. The drive keeps the telescope’s altitude and distance between celestial object and observer, or azimuth, constantly adjusted for tracking objects in the sky. Other team members did the rough and smooth grinding, and polishing of the mirror, using a hand-built polishing machine. The observation dome houses a 2-meter-long refractor telescope with a Telrad finder. At dusk on a recent evening, viewers peered through the scope and marveled at the sight of Jupiter and Io, one of its moons. The 20-inch telescope on the roof provides camera imaging of objects hundreds of million light years away. It is used for public viewing and by RFO docents for astrophotography and research. “About 9,000 people visit the park each year,” says Derammelaere. “The observatory is mainly funded through event ticket sales. This year we’ve launched a capital fundraising campaign. The monies will go to replacement of the old exterior decking and expand the observation dome.” …the docents “Our volunteers represent all ages and come from all walks of life and academia,” says Derammelaere. One of those is Michael O’Shea, current RFO board member and former longtime president of Amaturo Sonoma Media Group, which publishes NorthBay biz . “Growing up I was a science geek,” O’Shea says. “After driving up to RFO one evening for a stargazing event, I was hooked.” That was about eight years ago. O’Shea went through the docent training program and eventually joined the RFO board. “I particularly enjoy giving presentations to the school kids” he says. “They’re awestruck on looking through a telescope—many for the first time— and seeing the rings of Saturn, or Jupiter close up.” Those interested in volunteering attend a pair of orientations—one virtual, the other at RFO. That follows with classes in general
May 2024
NorthBaybiz 25
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