Special Outreach Missions for the Region
ASO Community Outreach Mobile Observatory and Planetarium Project
We want to build a mobile telescope observatory like this one, with a portable planetarium, so that we can offer "on the spot" astronomy outreach shows and viewing at any event. Having this trailer will allow us to be completely mobile without having to tear down and set up everytime, and it will allow any member to transport it around the Ozark regions anywhere that it can be driven and set up. This one instrument would be invaluable and an essentual educational tool for mobile outreach in the Ozark regions towns, cities, and rural areas. Please consider donating an old trailer that is no longer needed and can benefit our outreach mission efforts. All ASO donations are tax deductable under IRS code 501(c)(3).
ASO Ozark Dark Sky Scientific and Public Telescope Campaign
We are dedicated to promoting a new observatory in the Buffalo River region of Arkansas near the "Dark Sky Park" for scientific research and public viewing. The telescope will be mostly automated and will be made available to ASO members, local students and schools, and other organizations that schedule time to view particular objects in the heavens. We have no real public observatories in Arkansas and only two public planetariums. Arkansas in underserved when it comes to advanced astronomical instruments capable of real scientific work and open to the public. Please support our efforts to campaign for a new scientific telescope in the Ozarks.
Special Outreach Missions for the Community
ASO/IAU-OAO "Telescopes for All" Program
We are dedicated to get and give away as many telescopes and binoculars that we can get through donations and society purchases. We strive to give away as many free telescopes as we can give away in remote locations and areas of the Ozarks. Schools and libraries can benefit from owning a telescope to educate the public on astronomy and have a lending program. A lot of Veterans are in need of a telescope to literally give them "focus" and help them deal with their service connected disabilities. We need as many telescopes and binoculars that we can get donated, so think about donating a telescope or making a donation to enable us to purchase more for distribution.
Astronomical Wilderness Camping Events
We are dedicated to having as many camping events and outings as possable throughout the year. We are planning on having at least 4 weekend camping events per year and during the different seasons to not only celebrate a holiday, but also to align with the Spring and Winter equinoxes, and the Summer and Fall soltice astronomical events. These events will include training a certification courses, night sky telescope viewing, youth activities, contest and raffles , and evening movies and lectures. Stay tuned for a scheduled event in your area of the Ozarks by checking out our news often.
Special Outreach Missions for Veterans and Indigenous Nation
ASO Veterans Outreach Program
ASO Indigenous Nations Outreach Program
ASO Indigenous Nations Outreach Program
We honor our Veterans for their sacrifices and are dedicated to serving them with astronomy education and outreach, and we are hoping that we can help our veterans by giving them a telescopes to use for pleasure and relaxation, and outdoor camps for viewing the stars and serve as therapy outlets for Veterans with service connected disabilities. Any veteran member can apply for a free telescope and astronomical education program as therapy for any disability. Please help a homeless Veteran if you can, and give them a place to stay that they can call home and live a decent life!
ASO Indigenous Nations Outreach Program
ASO Indigenous Nations Outreach Program
ASO Indigenous Nations Outreach Program
We are dedicated to serving our "Indigenous Nations" of eastern Oklahoma including the Caddo, Cherokee and Chocktaw Nations with astronomy education and outreach by providing telescopes and astronomy field trips for astronomical viewing, and educational courses and lectures centered around the indigenous people and their astronomy hertitage, cultural beliefs, customs and ceremonial practices.
ASO Outreach Mission and Dark Sky Rangers Logos
ASO Membership Patch and Logo
Our "ASO Logo" is made up from elements of the Ozark mountains, the Ozark National Forest, a log cabin that is a natural landmark of the Ozarks and our home, with a fire burning to keep members warm and feel welcome, an observatory on top of the mountain that signifies the future of astronomical sciences in the Ozarks, and a landscape with trees are meant to resemble the ozark regions natural beauty. The telescope faces to the south and points to home, the sun sets on the west side, with darkness approching on the east side, and a field of stars adorn the night sky for viewing. Our members patch shown above, is made by A & B Emblem who also make all of the NASA mission patches for the astronauts.
ASO "Dark Sky Ranger" Corps Logo
Our "Dark Sky Ranger" Corps are made up of young dark sky advocates who are outreach ambassadors and who also want to protect our "Ozark Natural Skies". They also hand out outreach materials to the public, are useful at events to park cars, protect against light pollution from guest and their vehicles lights, provide information to the public, give directions, assit members and guest, and provide security for events. All youth are supervised by adults at every event . We also plan to teach them to pass their Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED certifications in the near future so they can also contribute to the community as first responders.
