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Front Page Coverage of First Light, November 20, 2009 Birmingham News
The James Wylie Shepherd Observatory
Phase One of the James Wylie Shepherd Observatory at the University of Montevallo is complete. The facility provides incomparable observing and educational opportunities. Located 3 miles from the main campus at the University’s 150-acre Gentry Springs property, the JWSO features a state-of-the-art 20-inch PlaneWave CDK20 telescope on a Chronos HD32 Harmonic Mount. The telescope and mount sit atop a Pier-Tech hydraulic pier which allows for height adjustment.The telescope assembly is housed in a fully robotic 20.5 foot diameter observatory dome made by Ash Domes. The remote location provides ideal dark skies, far removed from city lights, and offers spectacular views of any part of the night sky. The JWSO also features a 90 mm dedicated Coronado Solar Telescope with an integrated hydrogen-alpha filter for exceptional views of the sun, solar flares and the solar corona.
When further planned development is completed, the Observatory Complex will offer the region’s premiere completely accessible telescope as well as an outdoor planetarium/amphitheater, a docent's cabin, a digital planetarium, a scholars' dormitory, educational exhibits and a visitor center in which groups can see images generated by the main telescope. Additional smaller scopes for solar and planetary observing can be set up at various locations outside the main dome.
How Do I Get to the JWSO?
James Wylie Shepherd Observatory
1093 Pebble Road
Montevallo, AL 35115
From the North:
Take I 65 to the Shelby County Airport Exit (234).
Turn left at the light at the bottom of the ramp and go until this road dead ends at County Road 22.
Turn right and continue for 2.8 miles until you reach the first traffic light at Moore’s Crossroads.
To go through Montevallo:
Turn left and stay on 119 for 4.2 miles.The fourth stoplight will be Middle Street—CR 155 to the left, CR 10 to the right.
Turn right on Middle Street
Turn right from CR 10 onto CR 17 in .8 mile
Turn left from CR 17 onto CR 206 in .4 miles.
Turn right from CR 206 onto Pebble Road in .4 miles.
Stay on Pebble Road to Observatory in 1.1 miles.
To go straight to JWSO
From Crossroads traffic signal, stay on CR 22 to CR 17: 2.7 miles
Left on CR 17 to 206 2.8 miles
Turn Right on CR 206
Turn right from CR 206 onto Pebble Road in .4 miles.
Stay on Pebble Road to Observatory in 1.1 miles.
From the South
Exit 228, State Highway 25
Get on 25 southbound.
After 6.1 miles, turn right at the light onto CR 155 (Middle Street)
Stay on Middle Street (which turns into CR10 at the light) for 2 miles
Turn right from CR 10 onto CR 17 in .8 mile
Turn left from CR 17 onto CR 206 in .4 miles.
Turn right from CR 206 onto Pebble Road in .4 miles.
Stay on Pebble Road to Observatory in 1.1 miles.
Here is a printable map from Google from the Shelby County Road exit on I-65 (exit #234) to the JWSO site.
Here is a searchable map from Google. You can zoom in and out and you can get driving directions by clicking "To Here" and entering your address:
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