About

About the Observatory:  Owl Ridge Observatory (formerly Summit Observatory) was opened in 1986. 

About the Observer: My interests include amateur astronomy, including CCD photometry of variable stars, astrophotography, visual estimates of variable stars - especially long-period variables, occultation timings of stars by asteroids, public education, writing articles, and the history of astronomy. I am a member of the Center for Backyard Astrophysics, the American Association of variable Star Observers, the Society for Astronomical Sciences, and the Astronomical League. The "workhorse" instrument is a Celestron 23.5 cm Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope using a Starlight Xpress CCD camera and autoguiding camera mounted in an observatory building, a 30 cm Newtonian reflector, a vintage 20 cm f/8 Cave Astrola Deluxe Newtonian reflector, a 15 cm f/4 Newtonian astrograph, and various smaller instruments.

About the Radio Station: The radio station holds an Icom 746 Pro HF/VHF transceiver, a Yaesu FT-857d all band/all mode HF/VHF/UHF transceiver used for both analog and digital communcations, as well as a vintage Yaesu FT-101E HF transceiver, and a Yaesu FT-8800R VHF/UHF transceiver for local communications.  DX (distant) contacts have included New Zealand, Japan, the Middle East, Russia, Australia, the Galapagos Islands, and Pitcairn Island. Emphasis is given to emergency communication (EmComm). I hold a General Class amateur radio license under the call sign WØABC.

I am employed at the University of Iowa. I hope you enjoy your visit here - D. S.

A waning crescent moon seen through a thin veil of clouds -  H.P. Lovecraft fans might

appreciate this favorite "prop" used to help establish the scene in many of H.P.'s fantasy

horror stories.   (photo by the author)