[vsnet-chat 2771] Powell Observatory Needs your Help

[Larry <lrobinsn@ix.netcom.com>]

The Astronomical Society of Kansas City owns and operates Powell Observatory
in Louisburg, Kansas about 20 miles south of Kansas City.  The observatory
is located in Lewis-Young Park, on one acre of ground leased from the City
of Louisburg, Kansas.  Powell Observatory has been in this location for 18
years was built by the members of the society for the enrichment of the
community and the study of astronomy.  

Powell serves over 3000 people per year in the area of public education and
involves approximately 50 local
amateur astronomers in significant research work.  The research is done with
both a 30cm LX200 and ST7E and 75cm Newtonian with ST9E, all of which have
been purchased from donations from members and guests.  So far there have
been over thirty minor planet planet designations earned by the members who
are involved with the research program working at Powell and from two
backyard observatories in Olathe, Kansas.  The Powell group performs needed
follow up observations for other observers, who are clouded out or having
equipment problems.  It has always been our first priority.  Follow up
observations have been made by the Powell group for over 30 different
observatories worldwide including many second night observations resulting
in new minor planet designations for those observatories. In addition the
Powell group performs many follow up observations of recently discovered
Supernovae and reports magnitude estimates to VSNET and others.

Recently we learned by chance that the City of Louisburg Park Board was
considering a proposal to build a BMX Dirt Bike Track in the park due south
of the observatory right up against our property line.  The plans for the
track would eventually include overhead lighting, bleachers, and an
announcers tower.  The track builders say they are being supported by the
American Bicycle Association and the Leukemia Society and can have the track
built within a few days of getting approval.  The first step would be to
dump many yards of dirt on the site.

Members of the Astronomical Society approached both the City of Louisburg
and the BMX track organizers requesting that they consider an alternative
site where the lights and dust would not interfere with or damage the
observatory.  Although both the city and the track organizers initially were
cordial and agreed that this might be a problem, they later came out in the
local newspapers and on local TV saying they did not think the location
would be a problem for the observatory and they planned to proceed with the
site they had selected.  They said they would turn the lights off by ten
o'clock and only have the track open one night a week.  There was no
discussion of what effect the wind blown dirt would have on the optics and
electronics in the observatory.  We also know that the long range plans of
the track organizers are to hold practices and large competitions at the
track on other nights of the week from March through November.

Their next step is a presentation of the final drawings by the BMX track
people to the Park Board on April 10.  If the Park Board approves the plans
then the City Council will vote on it.  This could happen as soon as a week
or two after April 10.

There is no question that this track site will spell the beginning of the
end for Powell Observatory as a viable observing and research station.  A
minor planet observing program which began at the observatory in June 1999
resulted in sufficient observations and discoveries to rank Powell
Observatory, IAUC Code 649,  51st in the world for 1999.  They say the
observatory is doomed anyway by local development.  We have been very
successful in getting new developers to use shielded lighting so far and
think this will continue.  We feel that a responsible program with a local
ordinance will allow the observatory to continue to operate indefinitely at
the existing site.  They do not appear to want to support that plan.  
 
Many other possible sites do exist for the BMX track both inside the park
and elsewhere in the local surrounding county.  No one wants to consider an
alternative site for some reason.  They insist on placing this dirt track in
the one location where it will cause the maximum possible negative effect on
Powell Observatory.  We cannot understand why they do not want to come up
with an alternate site so both the observatory and the BMX track can
coexist.  It appears they want to get rid of the observatory.  We do not
know why.

Powell Observatory represents a $300,000+ investment and would cost over
$200,000 to relocate.  There is no where near enough money or time to
relocate it.  The only alternative would be closing it.

We would appreciate your letters and emails of support.  We plan to have a
petition drive and attend all of the local meetings where this issue will be
discussed and decided.  Being able to read and supply copies your emails and
letters of support to them and to the media may help us bring a stronger
case to those making this important decision.

This is very important and the more support we get from around the world,
the stronger we feel our case will be.  Please help us.  Please send this to
others who may be able to help us.  For every observatory that falls victim
to this sort of thing, we all lose.....

Please address your emails and your letters to the "City of Louisburg,
Kansas" and send them to me for printing and delivery to them at the
upcoming city council meeting.

Larry Robinson
14680 W 144th Street
Olathe, Kansas 66062
lrobinsn@ix.netcom.com

Thank you advance for your support.

Larry

PS I apologize if you are getting this message more than once or got it by
mistake.

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