Warren Rupp Observatory

Description

Once upon a time, a beautiful piece was written on the history of the Warren Rupp Observatory, and should not be lost. You will find this original page both HERE and in an eventual "Archives" page. I have no wish to eradicate what once was... But I've always had a feeling that there might have been just a bit more to the story... And I was right. To walk into the original "Clubhouse" is a step back in time. The very walls breathe of the past. Spend a night in the "Dome" and you will feel the spirit of those who made it come to life... And who better to tell the story than the one who was there that made it all happen? "I grew up in Mansfield, then went on to college at Ohio State in Columbus. While at OSU, I was becoming very active in amateur astronomy and I soon joined the OSU astronomy club. Of course, I caught observing fever and soon found myself living at Perkins Observatory almost every clear night, moon or no moon. At Perkins, I became good friends with Doug Wereb who was the resident observer there. At OSU, I got the privilege to learn amateur astronomy from the minds of Brent Archinal, John Kerns, and Dick Suiter, who were all working on their doctorate degrees at OSU. (1979 - 1980) I was deeply involved in amateur astronomy, into being at Perkins most evenings, going to classes, pulling the long hours, and burning glass plates with the Perkins 24/16" Schmidt camera. I became friends with other amateurs who also caught the astronomy bug. Thanks to the Columbus Astronomical Society (CAS), I met members Mark Mattox, Bob Bunge, Tom Burns, and Bill Burton… We all became a virtual “observing clique”. While still in the OSU Astronomy Club, I noticed an Astronomical League (AL) newsletter and began to read it. I came across all the AL clubs in Ohio. That’s when I noticed a club called the Richland Astronomical Society (RAS)- Mansfield. Mansfield? Being from Mansfield, I just had to investigate. An observing buddy of mine, Mark Mattox and I decided to give RAS a visit. We found out about their meetings and location and soon discovered "Hidden Hollow". Our first visit was a very clear, very cold, new moon in December 1980. When we arrived at the club house at Hidden Hollow no one was there. Surely someone from the club will soon be here as Mark and I began to setup our telescopes. Sunset and evening twilight came and went, still no RAS members. Oh well, looks like the two of us will be going at it alone. The skies at the RAS site were darker than any we have seen in Ohio. Being on top of one of the highest points in the state also added to our excitement. It was a very cold night and for the first time, I had to warm up in a car off and on throughout the night. It sure would have been nice getting access to the club house, it looked like they had electric heat floor boards in there. We were definitely going to come back, but the next time, it will be at a RAS club meeting. Mark and I soon came back to an RAS club meeting. We brought our scopes to observe after the meeting and met a handful of RAS members. The club did very little observing at this point in time, but thoroughly enjoyed our presence and the enthusiasm to get out and observe.

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