Robert Ferguson Observatory

We inspire young people to pursue further education or careers in astronomy or related STEM fields. RFO offers public star parties, holds private observatory events for scouts, schools, and other youth-related non-profits, does outreach to schools, and facilitates the Striking Sparks program (which awards telescopes to students) and the Young Astronomers program (a club for youth interested in astronomy). RFO is almost all-volunteer run and typically serves about visitors annually. The observatory houses a 40-inch reflector telescope, the largest telescope in Northern California that is accessible to the public; a robotic 20-inch research-grade, “CCD” telescope; and an 8”, two-meter long refractor telescope.