The August 21st solar eclipse provided an opportunity for Chip to debut his new observatory at his farm.
“I call my observatory ’Top of the Hill’, said Chip. “I’ve been interested in astronomy since I was a child in the little farm town in Ohio where I grew up. I’ve had many telescopes and variations of an observatory over the years but this 14” Meade telescope is without a doubt the most sophisticated instrument I’ve ever had.”
Chip worked with Dave Kriegler from the Department of Physics at the University of Nebraska at Omaha in the design, specifications and building of the observatory. The various parts were ordered from firms throughout the country.
Mannheim Steamroller staffers and guests enjoyed the partial eclipse from outside the observatory and also inside the newly completed structure. The 97 percent partial eclipse resulted in twilight darkness, and confused birds also began to settle down for the night.
