Welcome to Polaris Observatory Association

About Us

The Polaris Observatory Association is devoted to the exploration and understanding of the universe and its mysteries. Our mission is to inspire and educate the public about astronomy, as well as to promote the growth of stargazing and astronomy-related activities. We offer a variety of amenities for our members including, field trips, workshops, and stargazing nights. We also spend time togther during various astronomical events, such as solar eclipses, meteor showers or just hanging out under the stars with our membership.

If you have any questions or just want to reach out to get further info please do so as we would love to hear from you!

For over fifty years, the Polaris Observatory Association has been and will continue to be dedicated to helping everyone experience the wonders of the night sky.

Polaris Live WebCam

This is the Link to the Polaris Site Live WebCam

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Weather

Lockwood Valley 7 Day Forecast

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Clear Sky Chart

Lockwood Valley Clear Sky Chart

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Formation & Early Years

As the Polaris Astronomical Society of California developed from a small club to a strong, growing organization, some of its members felt the need for an observing station at which permanently mounted instruments could be used without the distractions usual at public star parties. Instead of erecting a single large telescope, it was decided to acquire a dark site away from the city lights where participating members would mount and use their own equipment. As the first step, a nonprofit corporation was formed -- Polaris Observatory Association, Inc. (1964). Our search for a site took us to mountaintops, mining land, and farms from Tehachapi to Mount Pinos. We hiked on pleasant summer evenings and through deep snow and cold winds, making observations both day and night to test seeing conditions. Eventually we found a 1 1/3 acre property in Lockwood Valley, California (1965). It was purchased with a large donation by an interested benefactor. Each participating member was alloted a 10-foot square cement pad. Seven double pads were built first and later five more along the southern edge of our property. A few years later (1969) a permanent house was built with a dome on the second story. Included in the house is a kitchen, family room, bathroom with shower, and a dark-room. A workshop with a lathe and drill press surrounds the concrete pier that rises to the second-story observatory. Later (1984) a bunkhouse was constructed providing four bedrooms for overnight accommodations.

More Recent years

1980s. Both PAS and POA continued to grow and by 1990 POA had 35? (TBR) members. The site was very active, but in the late 1980s, a schism developed within the POA membership over how the site should be used and developed. 1990s. In the early 1990s, PAS was essentially disbanded and POA was reduced to a very small number of members. Most of the pads and observatories had little use, and the site was maintained by the heroic labors of just a few dedicated people. 2000s. PAS was gone, but a few old members rejoined and a few new members joined POA. We rewrote the by-laws, we caught up on some deferred maintenance and we started improving the infrastructure of the site. The age of digital astrophotography was upon us, and the dark room become a network hub. It was also the beginning of the age of permanent observatories. Now the distribution of data was as critical as the distribution of power. By 2009 we had X members and Y observatories. In 2009 we also dedicated the Jay Baum Rich Telescope (JRT), a 28" telescope, a club asset intended for visual observing. In recent years, the number of visual observers in the club has increased and we more than doubled the pad space around the JRT. Today we have W members and Z permanent observatories,

Time Line

1965 - Purchase of land in Lockwood Valley, California as dark observing site for organization. 1972 - Buildings at POA in Lockwood Valley. The site is site full of telescope pads, the Club House with the Iconic Dome and enthusiastic astronomers. 1977 - Fred Larsen and Len Kalish were featured in Sky & Telescope Magazine, February 1977 issue, page 115 with their telescopes. Late 80's - Internal issues caused a near disbandment of the club but not for a few members all could have been lost. Late 90's - Because of a few dedicated members POA made a comeback. 2000 - With new CCD Cameras technology and the the advent of the internet, some new and old members alike started to build remote imaging observatories on the property.

Research

Lots of Research going on.