SFSM Observatory Grand Reopening

Jay Albert - August, 2010

We had a successful reopening of the South Florida Science Museum's observatory last night (August 27th). The observatory had been closed for about five years. We were advised that there were over 160 paid admissions to the evening reopening of the museum. In addition to Jim Kimball and his crew under the observatory dome, we had 8 or 9 telescopes set up on the cement pad in the museum's backyard. The 10:00pm closing of the museum was extended to accommodate visitors still waiting at the stairs of the observatory for a look through the 14" Celestron which had been cleaned and reconditioned by Jim Kimball, Jim McClean and Fred Lehman. It was hot, muggy and the sky was partly to mostly cloudy, but we still managed to show some astronomical treats to those attending the event. There were no mosquitoes! The event was covered by reporters from the Palm Beach Post. I wish to offer my thanks to the ASPB volunteers who joined me last night, including Jim Kimball, Larry Rudner, George DeBarros, Jim McClean, John and Maria Clifton, Fred and Willette Lehman, Jim Mayes, Dan Wickles and daughter Cynthia, Jerry Niksch, Bob Guzauskas and Eric Isacoff.

Jay Albert
August 28, 2010