Springs Brings a New Point of View to These Friends and Refuge Visitors (MD)

by Dr. Harry Heckathorn, Friends of Blackwater NWR

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1933 on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay as a refuge for birds migrating along the Atlantic Flyway. The refuge encompasses more than 32,000 acres and contains one-third of Maryland's tidal wetlands.

Satellite images of Earth at night show that Blackwater has the darkest skies east of the Interstate 95 corridor – particularly when looking south down the Chesapeake and toward the center of our Milky Way galaxy. Night sky photographs like the one below inspired the Friends of Blackwater to construct a small astronomical observatory for public night sky tours.

The Friends and refuge volunteers poured the concrete pier, ran underground electrical cable, built the observation deck and weatherproof shelter, and installed the 12-inch diameter f/8 telescope. The Heart of Chesapeake Country Heritage Area and the Friends funded the initiative.

During the tours, attendees will look through the telescope with their own eyes at the moon and planets, interesting double stars, star clusters, gaseous nebulae, and distant galaxies. The tour will also include an introduction to prominent constellations. Such knowledge provided essential “sky-marks” that helped guide local freedom seekers like Harriet Tubman, under the cloak of darkness, northward in the mid-1800s. Occasionally, during the daytime, the telescope will be fitted with a filter that will permit safe viewing of the sun and sunspots. 

Dr. Harry Heckathorn, a retired astrophysicist from NASA and the Naval Research Laboratory, led the design and construction activity and will conduct the Night Sky Tours. Phase II improvements, which are underway, include installation of a sensitive CCD camera and remote Wi-Fi operation that will permit viewing telescopic images from inside the Blackwater Visitor Center when outdoor viewing might be uncomfortable due to the chill of winter or the insects of summer. Indoor viewing will also allow visitors with mobility or vision issues to enjoy the night sky at Blackwater. Bob Quinn, renowned wildlife photographer and experienced computer network engineer, will be instrumental in this Phase II effort. Lisa Mayo, our long-serving social media expert, will keep the public informed of progress and upcoming nighttime tours.