James Wylie Shepherd Observatory
Phase one of the James Wylie Shepherd Observatory at the University of Montevallo is complete. 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. Pictures For additional information about the observatory, go to www.shepherdobservatory.org. For giving information, you may contact University Advancement at 205-665-6215.