I like to think of astronomy as the exploration of all things that extend beyond the Earth’s atmosphere into our heavenly universe.
Many disciplines like mathematics, chemistry, physics, optics, electronics, construction, thermodynamics
just to name a few are being used everyday to scientifically study what lies beyond. Astronomy can be extremely technical,
but it is also very elegant that can be appreciated by everyone at some level.

My great adventure in astronomy started many years ago just gazing at the sky watching meteor showers on a hot August night. No expensive equipment, not even a pair of binoculars, just a pair of eyes. As time past, fascination with astronomy grew. Eventually an inexpensive telescope was obtained. Without any experience or training, phase two of the great adventure had just started. Months turned into years and astronomy eventually took a back seat to, you know, life: school, career, family, community, and other responsibilities.

Several years later, phase three of the great adventure was rekindled one day after pondering over what once was. Internet research uncovered how astronomy technology had evolved to where commercially available computer controlled telescopes were possible. After more research, a good, affordable (to me anyway), portable, computerized telescope was acquired. That telescope brought the universe closer to what could be observed with more than just a pair of eyes. It also required learning new disciplines for operating the telescope correctly. The internet, fellow astronomers, and astronomy clubs contributed a lot my growing appreciation and love for astronomy.

Enter phase four of the great adventure: capture photographic images (astrophotography) of the universe. Learning new disciplines necessary for capturing faint images requires precise attention to detail. Setting up portable telescopes and going through those necessary calibrations always took a significant amount of time. It would be nice to have a permanent installation that would eliminate the majority of that setup time.

Eventually, a permanent installation at the Sand Island Observatory near Millers Ferry, Alabama became a reality to conveniently pursue astrophotography.