Martz Observatory, now known as the Martz-Kohl Observatory, is a public,

not-for-profit organization A not-for-profit or non-for-profit organization (NFPO) is a Legal Entity, legal entity that does not distribute surplus funds to its members and is formed to fulfill specific objectives. While not-for-profit organizations and Nonprofit organ ...

devoted to the

amateur astronomer Amateur astronomy is a hobby where participants enjoy observing or imaging celestial objects in the sky using the unaided eye, binoculars, or telescopes. Even though scientific research may not be their primary goal, some amateur astronomers m ...

. The emphasis of the association is

observational astronomy Observational astronomy is a division of astronomy that is concerned with recording data about the observable universe, in contrast with theoretical astronomy, which is mainly concerned with calculating the measurable implications of physical ...

, well-rooted in

public education A state school, public school, or government school is a primary school, primary or secondary school that educates all students without charge. They are funded in whole or in part by taxation and operated by the government of the state. State-f ...

and enjoyment of the starry skies. It was founded by, and eventually named after, Marshal Martz, an amateur astronomer from

Jamestown, NY Jamestown is a city in southern Chautauqua County, New York, United States. The population was 28,712 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. Situated between Lake Erie to the north and the Allegheny National Forest to the south, Jamesto ...

who built the first large

telescope A telescope is a device used to observe distant objects by their emission, Absorption (electromagnetic radiation), absorption, or Reflection (physics), reflection of electromagnetic radiation. Originally, it was an optical instrument using len ...

(a 30-inch reflector) ever used at the

observatory An observatory is a location used for observing terrestrial, marine, or celestial events. Astronomy, climatology/meteorology, geophysics, oceanography and volcanology are examples of disciplines for which observatories have been constructed. Th ...

. The Marshal Martz Memorial Astronomical Association, Inc. was formed to carry out the following mission: “To inform, educate, and inspire the general public and support teaching in the sciences of astronomy and physics through accessible, engaging, and entertaining programs.” The observatory is located just outside Frewsburg, NY (Chautauqua County) on six acres of rural property, and hosts weekly public observing nights. The main telescope, a 24-inch Dall-Kirkham Cassegrain reflector, can be controlled manually, or positioned from a nearby "control room" electronically. Several smaller telescopes, which members are free to use at their convenience, are located on the grounds. The Martz Observatory serves as a public education site, as well as a satellite teaching facility for local institutions, particularly

Jamestown Community College Jamestown Community College is a public community college with campuses in Jamestown and Olean, New York. It is part of the State University of New York system. JCC also has extension centers in Dunkirk, New York and Warren, Pennsylvania. The c ...

in nearby Jamestown, NY.

References

External links

* http://www.martzobservatory.org
Martz Observatory Clear Sky Chart
Forecasts of observing conditions. {{Portal bar, New York (state), Astronomy, Stars, Spaceflight, Outer space, Solar System, Education, Science Public observatories Astronomical observatories in New York (state)

See also

References

External links