Arkansas Sky Observatory

ASO "Scopes for Students" Program

Click here to see donations so far for 2004

We are proud to announce a new program that ASO will be offering to selected students who are deserving, but unable to afford the purchase their own telescope to further their education in the field of astronomy. As we all know, their are lots underprivileged students who could become a great influence in the future of astronomy and astrophysics if given the chance and encouragement. A telescope of their own could very well be the seed that gives them that determination to succeed and perseverance to overcome the obstacles that many of their more well to do peers do not have.

How will ASO make this happen? We can't without you.

ASO is a non profit corporation which has provided education and contributions to the community since 1971. At first these contributions were local and statewide, and eventually the geographic scope broadened to the mid-south region with lectures, seminars and workshops. In addition to this, ASO has contributed thousands of consistent observations to the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO), the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers (ALPO), Harvard University, and many others. The archives of these organizations speak for themselves showing data from ASO/P. Clay Sherrod, B. Morgan Sherrod as far back as 1971.

With the advent of the World Wide Web, ASO found a new opportunity when it's own website was born in 2001. Our idea was to share with the world anything astronomy we could give. All official observations are made public via the website and not kept secret as many do. The data we gather from astrometry of asteroids, NEO's, PHA's, comets are uploaded to the website each and every night they are made, immediately available for those who need them. Planetary images and studies are done the same way. Our event calendars compiled by P. Clay Sherrod provide information about astronomy happenings
each and every month with no hesitation or delay. In addition to all this, ASO provides our own, locally managed discussion forums where people can interact with one another, share images, seek advice, and most importantly find good fellowship.

What can we do to help the astronomers of the future?

DONATE!

ASO will never require a subscription or fee for our website, or any of the information we submit to it since we have no desire to profit from what we do. Its hard to mix business with pleasure if you want to keep the pleasure part of it intact permanently.

We know that the world wide web does offer the opportunity to get rich quick if you do it the right way. When a website asks for donations, no one really knows how much money will or has been given. ASO has a plan to reveal what is received to all who have or plan to donate and any surplus over our cost of webspace will be placed into our "Scopes for Students" fund. Currently our hosting costs are $420 per year, with plans to reduce that. Further, part of the operating cost of $420 will continue to be covered personally by ASO as we have since 2001. Our initial thought on asking for donations online was what to do if a huge surplus came in. All we wanted was some to help cover the web hosting costs. The "Scope for Students" program was the answer.

Our plan is to document each and every donation online not only so visitors can see how close we are to getting the needed funds to purchase the student scope, but also to see how much money we are actually getting. Each donor will be given the option of letting us publish their name along with the amount contributed, or a unique number assigned to you. Click here to see current donations for 2004.

A certificate will be sent to each and every donor who sends $25 or more in appreciation for their gift towards the "Scopes for Students" program. The certificate will contain your unique number so you can see your entry on the website. All donations will be recorded on the website with or without your name as you request. This will insure that progress towards the goal is fully visible to all.

The telescope chosen will be a suitable instrument with tripod (or stand depending on the type), eyepieces, and any accessories required for average to above average visual observations which can be obtained in the amateur market. Depending on the amount of funds collected within a year, the number of recipients may vary. As response to the program changes, so might the instrument(s) and number of recipients.

Each recipient will be recognized on the ASO web site with a complete description of the instrument they receive.

Please consider helping a student fulfill their dream of getting a telescope, and at the same time the helping ASO website grow with useful information and provide the means to help those who are less fortunate to enjoy the heavens as we do.

If you would like to nominate a student for this new program, please click here for details. - (Link coming soon)

Thank You!

Click here to see donations so far for 2004

To donate via U.S. Mail, send to:

Arkansas Sky Observatory - Cascade Mtn. Facility

Scopes for Students Program

c/o B. Morgan Sherrod

PO Box 545

Vilonia, Arkansas 72173

To use PayPal

(PLEASE indicate in the PayPal form what your money is for!)

For the Amazon.com Honor System (allows as little as $1 donations)

Please note that Amazon does not reveal the name of the donor to us, so if you wish to be recognized PLEASE send an email to us by clicking here

Please note that none of the funds received will be used for any purpose other than those mentioned. If any changes to webspace and maintenance costs change, it will be documented on the "Scopes for Students" section and moneys toward the program will be adjusted accordingly. ASO has no intention of using any surplus over website costs for personal equipment or costs of operating its own facilities. Family members and personal friends of ASO staff are not eligible as recipients of the "Scope for Students" program.

ASO "Scopes for Students" Program

Back to ASO