2022 Public Season
We will be open for the 2022 season May through October on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month. Like 2021, all activities will be outside with images from the Rusinger telescope shown remotely on a large screen on the fence.- Programs will proceed clear or cloudy.
- Rain will result in cancellation.
- Check facebook.com/astronomykc for the latest updates.
Because the observatory is staffed by volunteers, we request a donation upon entry to help maintain and operate the observatory.
Requested Donation: 13 & Over: $8 | 6-12: $5 | 5 and Under: Free
(We accept cash, check, and major credit cards.)
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Powell Observatory 2022 Schedule
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| May 7th | 8:00 PM | Moons of the Solar System |
| May 21st | 8:00 PM | Galaxies |
| June 4th | 8:30 PM | Don’t "Don’t Look Up!" A Tour of the Night Sky |
| June 18th | 8:30 PM | Life in the Universe |
| July 2nd | 8:30 PM | Planets You Can See |
| July 16th | 8:30 PM | The James Webb Telescope |
| August 6th | 8:00 PM | Phases of the Moon |
| August 20th | 8:00 PM | The Dark Universe |
| September 3rd | 7:30 PM | Don’t "Don’t Look Up!" A Tour of the Night Sky |
| September 17th | 7:30 PM | Life in the Universe |
| October 1st | 6:30 PM | Planets You Can See |
| October 15th | 6:30 PM | Phases of the Moon |
Private Events
The observatory is available for private groups and events year-around, subject to availability of volunteer staff. Please email powell@askc.org or call 913.438.3825. A reservation fee of $100 + $5 per person is required to reserve the observatory for private events.
2nd Saturday Astronomy Programs
Powell Observatory Public Night Teams will also be presenting programs on various astronomy topics by live streaming them on our ASKC Facbook page. The programs last approximately 30 minutes and will allow viewers to post questions and hear answers via Facebook at the end of the presentation. Check here for the latest schedule.
About the Observatory
Built in 1984 by society members, the observatory is located about 25 miles South of Kansas City in Lewis-Young Park, just North of Louisburg, KS. At this location, skies are much darker than in the city. The observatory has one of the largest telescopes open to the public in a five-state area - the Ruisinger Telescope, a Newtonian reflector with a 30" diameter mirror. The telescope is installed in a 20 foot dome with an equatorial fork mount and computerized control systems.
Other telescopes:
- Astronomical Imaging Center with an 11" Schmidt Cassegrain telescope and iOptron mount, located in a separate dome and adjacent imaging control center building.
- Louisburg Community Telescope featuring 16" and 12" Newtonian telescopes on Dobsonian mounts, housed in a separate building.
- Lunt solar telescope with iOptron mount.
Credit: Bruce Hollensbe
Directions to Powell Observatory
Take US 69 Highway to the Louisburg exit. Go east on Highway 68 (West Amity) ¾ mile to Broadway. Turn left and proceed 1 mile north to 271st Street. Turn left and proceed ¾ mile west to Jingo Road. Turn right and proceed 7/10 mile north to the entrance to Lewis Young Park. Proceed 3/10 mile west on Melrose past the tractor pull area on your left and around the curve. The observatory is on the left just past the line of trees. Parking is on the north side of the street.
You can also find it on Google Maps by entering the name "Powell Observatory" or just click this link.
The address is:
26500 Melrose Street
Louisburg, KS 66053
Etiquette
No white lights (headlights, flashlights, mobile phones, etc.) are allowed at the observatory. Red flashlights are allowed. Please dim your headlights when approaching and leaving the observatory.
Pets shall be maintained on a leash at all times and controlled. No pets, running, or play around telescopes.
We are located in a public park and all park rules must be followed.
Powell Weather Station View on Ambient Weather (off-site)
Sky Conditions Forecast
