Kenneth Walker Observatory
N 35° 10.013 W 111° 40.904
12S E 437916 N 3891762
This is a local observatory located at a public school.
Waymark Code: WM1PZ8
Location: Arizona, United States
Date Posted: 06/19/2007
Views: 55
You can go to the website and find information about star parties that are held here every month, even in the summer time. A great local observatory that is very family and kids friendly.
Kenneth Walker, an educator and amateur astronomer, constructed an observatory housing a 16 inch reflecting telescope in Holbrook, AZ. Sometime in November he learned that he had a deadly illness and set out to donate the telescope to an observatory in Arizona. While the telescope is of excellent quality, it does not meet the requirements of institutions such as Kitt Peak or Lowell Observatory.
His granddaughter, Kara Lee, an art teacher at Coconino High School, talked about this with a few teachers at Coconino. These people suggested that she should contact Ms. Lara at DeMiguel since she sponsors the Astronomy Club at the school. Ms. Lara was very excited about receiving the telescope if it could be brought to DeMiguel. Ms. Lara spoke to the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Dr. Lee Hager. He was also excited about the telescope at DeMiguel. Ms. Lara, Russ Randall, a teacher at Coconino High School, Joe Hobart, engineer at the Naval Observatory, and Mike Winters, President of the NAU Astronomy Club drove down to Holbrook to look at the telescope. They concluded that it was in good shape and should be easy to use.
Efforts to open Walker Observatory at DeMiguel are continuing. Many DeMiguel site council members and students are excited about this project!
Observatory Purpose: Private
Optical / Infrared Telescopes?: Yes
Radio Telescopes?: No
Solar Telescopes?: No
Open to the Public?: Yes
Is this a Club Observatory?: No
Public Viewing Allowed?: Yes
Active Observatory?: Active
Number of Telescopes or Antennas: 1
Site URL: [Web Link]
Year Dedicated or Opened: 2002
Altitude (meters): 2103
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Visit Instructions:Note the time of day of your visit, and your own photo of your favorite part of the observatory. This might be the view from the observatory, picture of your favorite building or favorite exhibit. (Be mindful of flash photography rules!)
If you participated in an observing session, let everyone know what you saw!
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