Badlands Observatory was established in 2000 and conducted scientific research for over 10 years. See the place Asteroid South Dakota and Asteroid Deadwood were discovered, including the 26” Newtonian Reflector Telescope used. Observe the sun, moon, galaxies and planetary nebulae using our public telescopes on our outdoor observing deck.
Tour Information
Late Summer Night Sky Tour
Our night program will include live-stack imaging of a deep sky object, a laser constellation tour, and stargazing from our Observatory Deck through our telescopes.
Our telescopes:
As an expert in optics fabrication, Ron taught telescope making for many years. Some of those instruments have been donated or are on loan to the Observatory; resulting in a mix of commercially made and “home brew” telescopes. As telescope-making is becoming a lost art, we are very pleased to have these instruments serving at our facility. In addition to the 26” Newtonian Reflector, our current complete lineup includes four Dobsonian reflector telescopes (one 8”, two 10”, and a 16”), an 8” Celestron NexStar Schmidt-Cassegrain, a 3” Meade refractor and a Vixen tripod-mounted astronomy binocular.
A highlight in our commercial instruments is the 16” Dobsonian reflector with Goto capability and viewing enhanced with night vision.
The 26” Newtonian reflector, the flagship of Badlands Observatory, is used primarily for imaging and will not be available for visual observing during the Night Sky Tour. A complete tour of the facility, including the dome area will be available as a component of a Daytime Tour at a later date.
The Program:
The night program is scheduled for 2 hours and will begin approximately an hour after sunset each evening, weather permitting. Reservation holders will be notified two hours in advance if weather conditions prohibit observing. Updates will also be posted on our website.
To make your reservation, scroll down to our calendar and click on the “Sign up” button. The cost is $29.70 per person including taxes. Those younger than 10 years old are admitted free. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Payment will be collected when you arrive at our facility and can be made by cash, check or credit card. The entire facility may be reserved for a private party for $267.30 taxes included. If you book a private party, we will contact you for prepayment.
We will be announcing our programming for each season on our website, as well as giving weather updates. We hope that you will find a program that you are interested in and make plans to visit us!
Night Sky Tours are limited to 10 participants. Be sure to indicate the # of persons 10 years and older in your group by selecting the quantity under”Choose appointment”, then “Sign up”. If the date is lined out in red, it means the night is sold out.
If you prefer not to use the online booking system, we welcome you to call or email and we will be happy to handle your reservation personally.
Payment is due upon arrival at Badlands Observatory. The cost of the tour is $29.70 per person.
Email observatory@goldenwest.net or call (605)381-1521 to reserve the Observatory for your private party. Treat your group to a private stargazing event for $267.30.
History
How it all started…
We could go WAY back…to when Ron Dyvig was a little boy in Deadwood, South Dakota, being introduced to the night sky by his Boy Scouts troop leader.
Or we could fast forward to his first observatory.. a concrete pad with a cylinder to hold his telescope in a rancher’s field…
Or we could delve into his college years where his passion for astronomy amplified… he learned and taught the art of telescope-making and became President of the Black Hills Astronomical Society. In those years, he designed and fabricated the optics for Hidden Valley Observatory in Rapid City, South Dakota.
Then there were his years as a research technician at the University of Arizona where he worked with truly great astronomical minds, observed at the advanced facilities at Kitt Peak National Observatory and helped design and test image intensifier camera systems for Steward Observatory.
All very interesting… but it really started to jell when he returned to South Dakota, and began dreaming in earnest of owning his own private Observatory with a research grade instrument.
And then what?
After retiring from his work career, Ron decided to buy the abandoned hospital facility in Quinn, South Dakota where he built a 26” f/4.8 Newtonian Reflector telescope. The Town of Quinn and West River Electric Association generously retrofitted the street lights to decrease potential light pollution.
But… was it successful!?!
First light was achieved on one of the largest fully computerized telescopes in a four-state area on May 27, 2000. Over the next ten years, the telescope was used to locate and track asteroids under the facility name Badlands Observatory, (designated with MPC site code 918), in conjunction with NASA and the Spaceguard Foundation’s international collaboration for cataloging Near Earth Objects with the potential for impacting Earth. In addition to contributing follow-up data on known asteroids, Ron was given discovery credit on 25 additional main belt asteroids. One of these is Asteroid 26715 South Dakota, named for Ron’s home state, where he received the inspiration and support to realize his dream.
Ron felt very strongly that this resource should be shared, and made it available over the internet with grant funds provided by the State of South Dakota and NASA through the South Dakota Space Grant Consortium. Data collected by students and researchers was used in three first place science fair projects, at least three master’s theses, and numerous publications by doctoral and post-doctoral researchers.
Did anyone notice?
- Badlands Observatory received favorable press and attention in newspaper and magazine articles, television shows, and radio interviews.
- Rapid City Journal - “Observing a Dream” July 2000 and “Asteroid Aficionado” February, 2001
- South Dakota Public Television - “Badlands, Good Skies” January 2002
- South Dakota Magazine - “Dark Winter Nights” January, February 2002 and “Eyeing a Vast Universe November, December 2002
- American Profiles Magazine - “Hometown Hero” February 2002
- Pennington County Courant - “Badlands Observatory in Operation Despite Obstacles” March 2002
- Sioux Falls Argus Leader - “Looking for Killer Asteroids” April 2002
- South Dakota Public Radio - News feature Febuary 2003
- National Public Radio - “All Things Considered” March 2003
- Voice of America International - “Science & Technology” March 2003
- KJJQ AM Radio - “Afternoon Smorgasbord” March 2003
- Golden West Communications - Badlands Observatory Gives Real-Time Remote Access to the Heavens - June 2003
- Discover Magazine - “The Asteroid Hunters” July 2007
Grateful Acknowledgements
While it may seem that these accomplishments were made by Ron alone, nothing could be further from the truth. Badlands Observatory would not have been possible without the support of many individuals (Steve Parker, Joe Kocherhans, Pete Hendrickson, to name but a few), organizations ( Black Hills Astronomical Society, South Dakota Space Grant Consortium) businesses (Loyola Enterprises, Precision Welding & Machine, Kitterman Redi-Mix, Bieber Electric, the Town of Quinn, the State of South Dakota and many users and visitors. Their contributions are humbly and gratefully acknowledged.
Badlands Observatory is proud to be an educational affiliate of the South Dakota Space Grant Consortium
About Us
Who are these people?
Ron Dyvig is the founder of Badlands Observatory. He designed and fabricated all of the optics including grinding and polishing the mirror for the 26” Newtonian Reflector. With a lifelong passion for astronomy, he has dedicated many sleepless nights to scanning the night skies and pursuing all things astronomical. A true nyctophile, high school and college nights were split between astronomy and playing music with several bands. For many years, Ron’s primary day job was working as a finance manager for a car dealership. He has also taught school and owned an aerial photography business. Most recently he delivers mail on a rural route several days a week.
Teresa Hofer spent her working years as an accountant. She has worked in both public and private accounting. As rewarding as accounting was, after 30 years she ditched it all and settled on something more fun… photography. Her time is now divided between time for her interests and the grandkids .
Teresa and Ron met late in life and decided to join forces. After almost 20 years together, they think it’s going to work out! They now share a commitment to keep the Observatory viable, while spending their golden years on their true joys… astronomy, photography and family. Ron’s Observatory duties include maintenance and upgrades to the optical and drive systems, control systems for the telescope and dome, facility management, designing and implementing new programming for Observatory visitors and keeping a watchful eye on astronomical developments. Teresa handles the administrative and back office functions and is the Observatory photographer.
Ron and Teresa look forward to welcoming visitors to Badlands Observatory beginning Summer, 2021.
Safety Measures
In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, we want to assure you that all surfaces are cleaned and disinfected daily. Masks and hand sanitizer are available for our visitors and their use is totally at your discretion. Participation in our activities is completely voluntary and at your own risk. Ron and Teresa are fully vaccinated and do not wear masks. We do limit the number of guests each night to 10 unless you are booking a private party. Please be considerate of others and do not visit at a time when you have symptoms of Covid-19.