Embedded Files
Purpose
Purpose
1- Provide access to specialized observation equipment to PCS students and community members interested in Astronomy.
2- Provide Astronomy Education to all age groups
3- Provide a community link to all those in Southwest Virginia that have a love Astronomy.
History
History
Pittsylvania County Schools had a Planetarium that was part of a federally funded program for refurbishing the old high school, it was completed in 1967. By the early 2000’s it was no longer financial viable to operate and was decommissioned by September of 2006.
It was then replaced by the current mobile observatory in 2008. The majority of the funding came from a grant from the Dan River Foundation. However, after 18 years of service it was in need of several major upgrades.
In December 2025 PCS was awarded a matching Grant from The Dan River Foundation to make the necessary repairs and upgrades to the mobile Observatory. matching Funds were provided by Ballard Pruitt VFW Post 647 in Danville Virginia and the 38th Masonic District of Virginia.
March of 2026 Steve Conard a volunteer from 2ndlight (See our partnerships) assisted in the electronics upgrade on the aging Paramount ME telescope mount.
Upgrades and repairs to the observatory will continue well into 2026.
Old Pittsylvania County Schools planetarium.
Who we are
Who we are
The SVDSO is.....
Ed Sherlock
Ed Sherlock
Director for the SVDSO, Gretna High School science teacher / technology teacher
BS is Applied Nuclear Technology, From Excelsior College.
Vice President of the Blue Ridge Astronomy Club (BRAC)
Fields of interest - Visual Astronomy / Travel / Outdoor activities and camping
Rickey Parker
Rickey Parker
First Director of the SVDSO. Assistant Superintendent for Information Technology (Retired)
BS in Astronomy from University of Maryland
Fields of interest - Astro imaging, archeoastronomy, and computer simulations.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse