30 Nov Fundraiser: Cederberg Astronomical Observatory – Donate to inspire curiosity, spark imagination & foster a deeper connection to the cosmos

BHA School of Lighting invites you to partake in the fundraiser and call for donations for upgrades to the Cederberg Astronomical Observatory. We firmly believe that as lighting engineers at BHA Lighting Design & Consulting and as educators at BHA School of Lighting, we need to design lighting systems which take into consideration our impact on the nighttime environment and the cosmos and do our best to limit light pollution so that future generations will be able to observe the heavens.

At present the fundraiser has raised 33% of the funds and stands at R33,010 raised of R100,000 goal.

DONATE TO THE CEDERBERG OBSERVATORY HERE

Since the late 1980s, the Cederberg Observatory has opened its doors to the public every Saturday night for an evening of stargazing and talks given by enthusiastic amateur and professional astronomers.

They firmly believe that astronomy has the power to inspire curiosity, spark imagination, and foster a deeper connection to the cosmos. Our aim is to share our knowledge and passion for astronomy with people of all ages and backgrounds, leaving a lasting impact on individuals by fueling their curiosity, expanding their horizons, and nurturing a sense of stewardship for our planet and the wider universe.

With the number of visitors to the observatory now having exceeded 100,000, we wish to take the Cederberg Astronomical Observatory to the next level and provide an even better experience for our visitors.

In order to achieve this we need to upgrade the facilities, buy new equipment, build enclosures for the telescopes we use on open nights and critically get off the grid.

We would be extremely grateful if you could donate to Cederberg Observatory and help us become a leading Astrotourism and Astronomy outreach hub in Southern Africa.

In order to provide an incentive, those who donate R300 (about $17) or more will qualify for a prize draw, which will take place once we have raised R100,000. The winner will be able to choose one of two prizes

1. The 2” Optolong L-Ultimate astrophotography filter (valued at $490) – see https://www.optolong.com/cms/document/detail/id/192.html
2. A two night astrophotography experience in the Cederberg including accommodation.

ALSO – ANY DONATION ABOVE R1000 ($54) WILL BE GIVEN THE OPTION OF HAVING THEIR NAME DISPLAYED ON THE “FRIENDS OF THE OBSERVATORY WALL”.