Banner Creek Science Center and Observatory Mike Ford is seen here with the 20-inch telescope that will soon be replaced with a 24-inch telescope. The 20-inch scope has been in use at the science center and its predecessor, Elk Creek Observatory, for nearly 15 years. (Photo by Brian Sanders)

Fund-raising efforts continue for new Banner telescope

For nearly 15 years, a 20-inch reflector telescope served the scientific needs of Holton’s Elk Creek Observatory and its successor, the Banner Creek Science Center and Observatory.

Last June, however, the telescope’s control box was “fried” by a bolt of lightning, rendering the tele scope “useless,” according to longtime Holton educator and science center director Mike Ford. Replacing the telescope, Ford noted, was likely to cost $120,000, telescope, control box and all.

But thanks to the generosity of science center supporters, the 20-inch telescope is about to be replaced by a slightly larger telescope ― a Planewave 24-inch telescope that Ford said will expand the science center’s capability for studying the stars by about 60 percent ― and fund-raising efforts to achieve that goal are nearing an end.

“It’ll be a big deal,” said Ford, whose efforts opened the former Elk Creek Observatory behind Holton High School in 2000 and who has played a major role in developing the Banner science center.

For more on this story, please log in to your holtonrecorder.net account.

The Holton Recorder

109 W. Fourth St.
Holton, KS 66436
Phone: 785-364-3141
 

Sign Up For Breaking News

Stay informed on our latest news!

Manage my subscriptions

Subscribe to Greer Citizen newsletter feed