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Recently, our dedicated installation team under the guidance of Cameron Vittiglio, Field Experience Manager, and Josh Person, Lead Assembly Technician, executed a flawless installation of our 1-meter telescope at the breathtaking Snow King Resort in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

This groundbreaking project will make Snow King the first-ever ski resort in North America to host an observatory on its premises. Visitors at this resort will be able to view awe-inspiring images captured with our 1-meter telescope as an effort to inspire both the public and professionals through exploring the wonders of the night sky and learning more about astronomy.

At Snow King, reaching for the stars takes on a whole new meaning, as visitors will embark on a unique journey via a scenic gondola ride to the first-ever planetarium and observatory on top of a ski resort in North America. Collaboration with Observatory Systems and the visionary leadership of Paul Gardner facilitated this seamless installation. The resort plans to offer a variety of programs and events to engage people of all ages and backgrounds in astronomy, such as guided tours, star parties, workshops, lectures, and more. The resort hopes to inspire curiosity and appreciation for the cosmos and foster a sense of community among stargazers.

This telescope, located on top of the resort’s mountain, is part of a larger, rapidly developing project to create a state-of-the-art astronomy center, as well as event spaces for conferences, private lectures, an 8-meter digital planetarium, and classes for aspiring astronomers. “The location is going to be great, mostly for those interested in astrophotography and space in general, with the option for guests to visit the observatory and learning center will spark interest for generations to come. I will visit this site on my own time to enjoy the work that was put into this project,” added Vittiglio.

The telescope installation is part of our mission to make astronomy accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Whether it’s for recreation, education, or research, we hope to spark interest and passion for astronomy among people of all walks of life, and that our passion for astronomy will contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge and discovery. As Jackson Hole’s Snow King Resort has entered a new era, PlaneWave Instruments is proud to have played a pivotal role in making this innovative and inspiring project a reality.

 

Photos provided by Jakub Galczynski