JACKSON, Wyo. — The Snow King Observatory and Planetarium is on its way to completion, according to a recent Facebook post by the mountain.
On Wednesday, Snow King Mountain shared a series of photos of the dome being installed on the new observatory.
“We are building something pretty cool at the top of Snow King Mountain!” states the post. “Dome installation for the Snow King Planetarium and Observatory will be complete this week. Thanks to the crew from Ash Dome and Ormond Builders for doing the heavy lifting.”
Come September, the 4,400 square-foot structure will house a Plane Wave telescope and its 24-foot dome, a 35-seat planetarium space theater, a 65-seat auditorium and a small gift shop. Additionally, there will be a glass-enclosed office, designed to invite the public into all aspects of the observatory. There is also a small private sleeping room, kitchenette and bathroom designed for staff who might need a little shuteye between astronomical events.
The telescope will rest on a 20-foot concrete pier anchored in the earth and is isolated from the greater structure to prevent vibrations from disrupting its position.
Wyoming Stargazers Executive Director and Astronomer Samuel Singer, Farmer Payne Architects and Jakub Galczynski designed the observation facility.
