Members of the Marshal Martz Memorial Astronomical Association and the Jamestown Civil Air Patrol Composite Squadron. From left are John Anderson, SM Missy Silvis, C/Amn Isaac Boisvert, C/2d Lt Alannah Garza, C/2d Lt Adrian Maybach, Cadet Jacob Boisvert, SM Rita Benson, Brian Ceci, C/TSgt Ella Bilott, C/Capt Finn Johnson, C/Amn Kirra Hodgkin, C/SSgt Anthony Grice, C/Amn Iris Donnell, C/Amn Arlene Boisvert, C/Amn Sophie Bennett, C/SrA Kaitlyn Silvis, Tom Traub, Michael Lester, C/SrA Samual Fitch, Gary Campbell , C/SSgt Dawson Benson, C/Amn Esther Boisvert, (volunteer), C/SrA Olivia Bennett, 2d Lt Terrance Roberts, C/CMSgt Sarah Dorman, 1st Lt David Fehlman.

Cadets of the Jamestown Civil Air Patrol composition squadron recently toured the Martz-Kohl Observatory.

The cadets had the chance to learn about the history of the observatory dating back to the original observatory built on the grounds. Then the cadets split into two groups so everyone could have a closer look at the equipment.

Volunteers from the Marshal Martz Memorial Astronomical Association demonstrated how the telescopes moved, the different parts and their function and how the telescope is able to take deep spacing imaging. The observatory has two large domes in addition to a roll-off-roof enclosure that houses telescopes available for member use. The Martz dome houses a 24″ Dall-Kirkham telescope with a 16″ Ritchey-Chrétien wide field telescope attached to it. These are fully autonomous scopes that can be remotely controlled from the observatory control room and off site. They are used for imaging deep sky objects as well as asteroids, comets and the Moon.

The Kohl dome houses a 20″ Classical Cassegrain telescope and a 5″ Takahashi Refractor. A Dobsonian 13″ telescope is housed under the roll-off-roof among several other telescopes of various design features, including 8″ and 12″ Schmidt-Cassegrain catadioptric telescopes, all of which can be set up quickly for the enjoyment of visitors. Cadets also were able to see the radio room and talk with volunteers regarding the equipment and its usage, even the ability to communicate with the International Space Station!

The evening ended with a presentation of the different images that have been taken by the telescopes throughout the years. The Martz-Kohl Observatory is managed by the Marshal Martz Memorial Astronomical Association Inc., a non-profit organization of amateur astronomers.