Highland Road Park Observatory

Highland Road Park Observatory, also known as the Baton Rouge Observatory, is a public astronomical observatory in Highland Road Park in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States.

About Highland Road Park Observatory

The observatory at 13800 Highland Road is jointly operated by Louisiana State University's Department of Physics & Astronomy, the Baton Rouge Astronomical Society, and the Recreation & Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge (BREC).

History

The Baton Rouge Astronomical Society, which co-runs the site, was founded in 1981 as a non-profit organisation. Its members meet monthly at the observatory and are a member group of the Astronomical League, volunteering to help run public nights and outreach activities such as sidewalk astronomy and dark-sky advocacy.

Telescopes & research

The observatory's primary instrument is a 20-inch Ritchey-Chretien telescope (f/8.1) with a hyperbolic-figured, low-expansion ceramic primary mirror, a 7.25-inch secondary mirror, an OGS140 equatorial fork mount and computer control, alongside a 16-inch reflecting telescope, both accessible to visitors. Observing work from the site has contributed to the discovery of more than 40 numbered minor planets since 1998, including minor planet 11739 Baton Rouge, discovered in 1998 and named after the observatory.

Location & getting there

The observatory is in the North America region, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States, inside Highland Road Park.

Visiting Highland Road Park Observatory

Public observing nights are held on Friday and Saturday evenings, weather permitting, with office hours Monday to Thursday, 09:00 to 15:00. Check the current schedule with BREC or the Baton Rouge Astronomical Society before visiting.

See your named star from here

An observatory whose work has already helped name more than 40 minor planets is a fitting place to look for a star named for you. If you've named a star with Star Register, bring your certificate's coordinates to a Friday or Saturday public night and ask if the 20-inch telescope can find it. Look up your star's details in the star catalogue.