Kelseyville Unified, Lake County Office of Education plan more public programs at Taylor Observatory
- Lake County News reports
- Posted On
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Lake County Office of Education and Kelseyville Unified School District announced that more programs will soon be offered through the Taylor Observatory.
LCOE Education Specialist Elisa Prather explained that LCOE recently hired a “highly qualified and wonderfully dedicated” coordinator, Angelo Parisi, who is breathing new life into the facility.
“Angelo joined us last spring from the Ferguson Observatory in Sonoma County. He has already organized field trips for elementary and middle school students in Kelseyville and throughout Lake County, and he’s working on a program starting in January to train middle school and high school students to become docents who can guide people through the observatory,” Prather said.
“The Taylor Observatory is a gem tucked away here in Kelseyville,” said Kelseyville Unified Superintendent Dave McQueen.
The observatory is managed by LCOE and supported by the nonprofit organization Friends of Taylor Observatory.
“We all work together to support it,” said Prather.
The observatory features the Norton Planetarium, named in honor of the late Evelyn Norton, where a Digitarium Epsilon projector creates an immersive multimedia experience by displaying celestial images on the 20-foot domed ceiling.
The observatory also has a 16-inch research-grade telescope, the centerpiece of the observatory’s operation.
It is computer-controlled and capable of locating more than 144,000 celestial objects, according to the Friends of Taylor Observatory website.
To share the beauty of the night sky and discuss interesting facts about astronomy with local students and other community members, the new LCOE coordinator is working with local partners to begin offering regular events open to the public.
Prather said, “We plan to talk to the high school astronomy teacher and other local enthusiasts to have weekly viewings – maybe Friday evenings. Angelo is working on the details.”
One of the reasons the observatory is so special is because Lake County is one of the few remaining areas in Northern California dark enough to allow for clear views of the night sky.
To preserve this view, Friends of Taylor Observatory and other community stakeholders are seeking Dark Sky Certification from the International Dark Sky Association, or IDA. To learn more, visit http://friendsoftaylor.org/dark-sky-initiative.
For more information about school field trips or to volunteer at the observatory, email Angelo Parisi at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Elisa Prather at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..