Sky’s the Limit Is:
A committee of the not for profit Basin Wide Foundation dedicated to educational and public out reach activities.
Sky’s the Limit’s Assets:
Ten acres on the east side of Utah Trail at the entrance to Joshua Tree National Park, a bank account, and a committee of local people willing to dedicate time and money to the project.
What Sky’s the Limit Will Do:
Develop our site as a center for natural history, education and exploration. Preserve the native plants and animal life on our site. Demonstrate the types of desert represented in our area.
Construct and operate an astronomical observatory for education and research. Provide a special area for amateur astronomers to use their own equipment. Build an amphitheater for out door programs to be presented in day light and at night. Conduct classes and seminars on astronomy and the earth sciences.
Make the facilities available to local schools and the public.
When Will Sky’s the Limit Do It?
A site plan and building design has been prepared and the governmental approval process has been completed.
Conservation and plant protection activities are under way.
Construction of the observatory and other buildings will follow.
The sky’s the limit development committee expects full development of the site to take six years. Success is dependent on the investment by people like you.
Special Features Planned for Sky’s the Limit:
Amateur Astronomer Facilities.
Twelve specially surfaced pads, with electrical power, will provide a place where telescopes may be set up by their owners.
Amphitheater
Seats 200, sound system, power point presentations, and images transmitted from the observatory. May also be used at night for laser pointer sky tours.
Astronomical Observatory
V-shaped building with dome and 16 inch, or larger, telescope equipped for imaging. The building contains restrooms, classrooms, laboratories, and offices.
Native Plant Studies
Landscaping for the site will be kept natural and represent the Mojave Desert flora as found in Joshua Tree National Park. A section will be dedicated to Sonoran desert flora typical of southern Arizona.
Radio Telescopes
A multiple dish array is planned with imaging in the observatory building.
Telescope Builders Workshop
The equipment and maintenance shop for the observatory will have facilities for lens grinding and telescope building: Dobsonian style equipment, and radio telescope receivers.
Solar Power Demonstration Project
Solar power will help control costs therefore collectors and the related equipment will be installed as a working demonstration of photovoltaic electrical systems.
Weather Station
A Davis instrument remote unit will be installed, to be operated by students from a local school.
Zen Meditation Garden
A 60 by 32 foot Japanese dry landscape garden containing only rocks and raked gravel will be built opposite the amphitheater on the southern boundary of the site.
