Banner Creek Science Center

Goal: $20,000.00

Specific Need

From the beginning Mike Ford had a dream, and Mike’s dreams were always big!  The Banner Creek Science Center, founded in 2012, features a 24 inch Planewave CDK telescope, QHY600 color camera, and 1200 square feet of classroom.  But Mike’s dream was always bigger and better.  Mike wanted the Banner Creek Science Center to be a world-class observatory that was used for research by astronomers around the world.  Money from last year's Thoughtful Giving Day allowed BCSC to purchase and install an instrument selector that allows our camera, an eyepiece, and a streaming device to be connected to the telescope at the same time.  This allows astronomers to change between the three instruments in seconds and not have to take instruments off and on the telescope.  BCSC also purchased and installed remote access hardware for the telescope to allow astronomers from everywhere to use the scope.  In addition, BCSC purchased astrophotography training to get the maximum utilization of our Planewave CDK 24” telescope and our QHY600 camera with its filters.  Next Steps for BCSC is to purchase additional astrophotography training, additional filters, and a planetary camera.  Upgrades to the dome are also needed.

Mission

To provide hands-on scientific education in harmony with the ecosystem and Native American culture.

$15,768.35 received
in 23 gifts 78.84%  of  $20,000.00 Goal