Enid High School Observatory

Built on the roof of Enid High School in Enid, Oklahoma, in 1963, this observatory grew out of Cold War-era investment in science education — and today carries the name of a NASA astronaut.

About Enid High School Observatory

The observatory was constructed in the summer of 1963 atop Enid High School, funded through the National Defense Education Act (NDEA) that the United States adopted in response to the Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik. Physics teacher Jim Smeltzer designed the facility, which is now formally known as the Dr. Nancy Currie-Gregg Observatory, named after the NASA astronaut who attended the school.

History

Funding for the observatory was secured in 1962, and the dome was completed the following year. In 1965, it was equipped with a Tinsley Laboratories Model D 8-inch Cassegrain reflecting telescope, purchased with Title III federal funding. It remains notable as the only full-scale, fully operational observatory dome at a high school in Oklahoma.

Location & getting there

The observatory sits on the roof of Enid High School in Enid, Oklahoma, in the central United States — a school campus setting rather than a remote dark-sky site.

Visiting Enid High School Observatory

As a school-based facility, access generally follows the high school's calendar and any public astronomy nights it hosts. Check with Enid Public Schools or local astronomy groups for current visiting opportunities before planning a trip.

See your named star from here

An 8-inch Cassegrain telescope, still housed in a dome built during the space race, is more than capable of tracking down a single named star given its coordinates. If you've named a star through Star Register, its position is documented and ready to look up in the catalogue.