The Kalamazoo Astronomical Society has received a once-in-a-lifetime offer from fellow members Michael & Kathleen Patton that will allow us to bring astronomy to the

The Patton's observatory at Arizona Sky Village.

Our corner of the observatory sits empty. Help us fill it!

This is an example of the telescope we hope to get with your help.

people of West Michigan like never before. But to make this incredible offer a reality, we need your help today!

Mr. & Mrs. Patton have built a retirement home and observatory at Arizona Sky Village; a dark-sky community located in Portal, Arizona. The observatory is a 20ʹ × 20ʹ roll-off roof design (similar to Owl Observatory) and contains room for four telescopes. In return for technical advice and guidance regarding a telescope and associated equipment owned by them at the observatory, the Pattons will provide the KAS with space for a robotic telescope in their observatory at Arizona Sky Village.

Such a facility would have many uses. First, we will be able to hold remote public observing sessions at any location with high-speed Internet, utilizing images from the telescope shown with a high definition projector or television. The robotic telescope will also be used to conduct research projects or search for comets, asteroids, and supernovae.

Our intention is to allow access to the system to surrounding schools on a no cost basis, while renting to outlying schools. The telescope will also be used to take stunning images of the night sky, which we could share with the public. These images could be collected right from the comfort of member's homes. All that would be needed is a computer and high-speed Internet connection.

To help reduce technical issues for such a remote facility, we need to purchase the best equipment available to amateur astronomers. After all, our robotic telescope will be located under some of the darkest skies in the continental United States. The price tag for our equipment of choice will be between $90,000 and $100,000.

This may seem like a daunting task, but we have already raised 10% of the amount needed thanks to the tremendous efforts of KAS member Jean DeMott and her Perpetual Plant Sale. We will also approach local foundations for contributions, but we absolutely need your financial support today.

Please consider contributing to the Robotic Telescope Project at one of the following levels:

You may also make a contribution by either check or money order (please make it payable to the Kalamazoo Astronomical Society and indicate it is for the Robotic Telescope Project). This will circumvent the PayPal fees. Please mail your contribution to:

The KAS is a non-profit organization. All contributions are federally recognized as tax deductible per section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code.

This is the most ambitious project in our 75 year history, but with your support we can make it a reality. Thank you!