Beneath Idaho’s Night Skies: Installing the Bruneau Dunes Observatory
Located approximately 60 miles southeast of Boise, Idaho, Bruneau Dunes State Park is a sanctuary of dark, pristine night skies.
For decades, this remarkable park has played host to nightly astronomy stargazing programs, igniting the flames of curiosity and educational inspiration across generations. Nestled within its campus, the Steele Reece Education Center stands tall, highlighting a remarkable 30’ observatory housing a 24” Dobsonian telescope. But in 2023, a new star rose in the Idaho night sky, as Sea West and Veritas Maintenance unveiled a state-of-the-art observatory, capable of entirely remote operation.
The Future of Stargazing
Sea West, in close partnership with Idaho’s Veritas Maintenance, embarked on a visionary project – the Bruneau Dunes State Park Observatory. At its core lies a revolutionary PlaneWave CDK700 observatory system, housed within a fully automated 20.6’ Ash Dome. Complementing the two are an all-sky camera and a weather station–ensuring the observatory’s safety during remote operation.
Imagine this: astronomers from around the world can log in over the internet, scheduling data collection, orchestrating virtual star parties, and conducting cosmic investigations. The software seamlessly integrates with the telescope, cameras, dome, and weather station, guaranteeing that data collection occurs optimally. If Mother Nature throws a curveball, such as high winds or unexpected precipitation, the observatory’s emergency shutdown procedure takes the reins, gently parking the telescope and sealing the dome to protect its delicate instruments.
The telescope itself is a marvel, equipped not only for observation but also for astrophotography, and, in the heart of the observatory’s control room, guests view what the telescope beholds, thanks to three 65” HDTVs mounted on the walls.
A Stellar Team Effort
The success of the Bruneau Dunes State Park Observatory can be attributed to the power of collaboration. Sea West, alongside an exceptional design team, specialty contractors, and top-notch manufacturers, has birthed an observatory that promises to be cherished for generations to come.
Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to our exceptional team of vendors and partners who made this dream a reality:
- Bruneau Dunes State Park
- Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation
- AHJ Engineers, PC
- WSCS Designs
- Musgrove Electrical Engineers
- KME Civil Engineers
- Veritas Maintenance
- PlaneWave Instruments
- Ash Manufacturing Co.
- Observatory Automation Solutions
- Observatory Systems
In the vast expanse of Idaho’s night sky, the Bruneau Dunes State Park Observatory now stands as an inspiration to all who seek to unlock the secrets of the universe, right here in the heart of Idaho.
