UPDATE: The opening date of the observatory has been delayed until the ROE can complete further inspections, according to principal Jason Ness.

After many months of building, the astronomy observatory will be available for use at the end of this week, Sept. 6, once it is inspected by the ROE (regional office of education).

Technical Innovations, the company that built the dome, was at Niles West last week to complete the project. The observatory is located in the south parking lot.

“In the past, my students and I had to move three telescopes from the third floor downstairs and then to a dark sky near our school,” said science teacher Elizabeth Ramseyer.

To benefit of astronomy students and astronomy club members, there is now a permanent location from which to observe the night sky. In addition to the dome, Slater, the donor, funded their ability to control the lights in the south parking lot so that they can observe the stars without additional light pollution.

“We hope to also use our special telescope cameras to image the skies and possibly make  a discovery!” said Ramseyer.

In the near future, a council ring and prairie may be added to the grounds surrounding the observatory.

Astronomy student and senior Purva Chandel feels that this is a good addition.

“I think the observatory is a great addition for the astronomy class and astronomy club because we now have a place to set up the telescope. We can be away from the football stadium lights and have better viewing,” said Chandel.