Since the late ‘50s and early ‘60s, Americans have been fascinated with space. Around this time, NASA was formed, and the Space Race between the Soviet Union and the United States was in full swing.
In 1959, there was a group of high school students lead by Sara Worley that decided to start The Junior Astronomical Society in Shreveport. The group sought out to provide SBC with an observatory and public planetarium. To raise money, the group hosted star parties for the public and received donations from area businesses.
Within five years, they achieved both of their goals. Over time there were a lot of residents taking interest in the club, and the group’s name changed to The Shreveport-Bossier Astronomical Society (SBAS).
The Shreveport Observatory opened in 1964 and is located eight miles south of Shreveport. The observatory was later donated to the Caddo Parish School Board in 1970, with hopes that the board could use it for educational purposes.
The Shreveport Observatory was renamed after Sara’s father, Ralph A. Worley, as a memorial to him after he passed away in the 1980s.
Over the years the observatory’s condition has gotten worse and worse. The Caddo Parish School Board ended up leasing the observatory to LSU Shreveport for limited use. The university was able to use the land, but the buildings and equipment still needed updating.
Recently, The SBAS secured a rolling lease that is renewed every 5 years. They are working on a 3-phase plan to get the buildings back in working order.
“Right now we are currently on Phase One where we are cleaning up the outside and making it wheelchair accessible,” said Greg Andrews of the SBAS. “We are also fixing the 6-inch telescope which is being funded by Astronomy Technology Today magazine, which is really great.”
The full plan includes several additions to the site which will be completed in 2014. The plan includes a dome restoration, 16-inch dome telescope restoration, observation deck replacement, new back gate, new roof and safety railing, new exterior paint, relocation of stairs, new concrete plaza area, new lettering on building, new picnic tables, interior renovation, and new educational displays. Visit chicagogaragedoor.com/garage-door-spring-repair for more updates and ideas on home renovations.
If you would like to help with the renovations, you can go to shreveportastronomy.com to make a donation.
According to Andrews, “On our website there is a PayPal account that you can put proceeds into, and it goes straight into the observatory campaign. You can also mail in contributions to our address, or come to one of our meetings at the Science Lecture Auditorium at LSUS.”
The Shreveport-Bossier Astronomical Society has been hosting star parties this spring, and plans to have more in the fall to commemorate the observatory’s 50th year. The last chance to go to a star party before the fall is June 7 at the American Rose Garden. The event will start at sundown, and will be a great way to support the Worley Observatory as well as the Shreveport-Bossier Astronomical Society.