For the safety and security of our members there are specific protocols and procedures in place for observing out at Eagle Eye Observatory (EEO) at Canyon of the Eagles (COTE).
Member Only Party Nights
One Saturday night a month, EEO is set aside for Austin Astronomical Society (AAS) members only for the purposes of their own observing. Members have the right to visit the observing field for their own astronomical purposes. Members can also utilize observatory scopes once proper certification has been attained.
On member-only nights, the observatory gate road will be locked with a combination code, 6658. Upon arrival to the gate please unlock, drive through, and lock the gate behind you. This lock will remain on the gate all night. Astronomers are permitted to observe through the night and to Astronomical Twilight (am). However, there is no camping on the observing field. No camper, pop-ups and RVs will be allowed on the field or parking area. Additionally, cars are permitted on the field for the purpose of unloading and loading of astronomical equipment and while said equipment is in use on the observing field. If a member wishes to use the observatory on a member only night that member will need to obtain an observatory key from the front desk after providing proof of their operator status by means of their operator card and notation on the current operator list.
Non Star Party Nights
On all other nights, not reserved for the public star parties or member only parties, entrance to the observing field is obtained by way of the COTE Lodge front desk. Use of the observing field is allowed as long as it does not conflict with COTE scheduled groups or events and is based on the following terms:
- AAS members are required to check in at the the resort’s registration desk upon arrival for security and liability purposes.
- AAS members are required to present identification to resort and park staff for verification of current AAS membership. (membership will be checked against a master list for the time being and will be replaced with a hang-tag procedure) Failure to provide proof of membership will subject the member to pay a day use fee (currently $6) and/or be denied access.
- Guests accompanying AAS members will pay the published day use fee of $6.
- Upon check-in, AAS members will receive a gate access key from the resort and shall return it before leaving COTE. The gate access key can be returned to the front desk or left in the after-hours drop box (Drop Box – Brown Iron Ranger) located at the gatehouse kiosk at the entrance to COTE. A $100 fine will be paid by the AAS member for keys not returned.
- Members will be required to sign the key check-out log before being given a key.
- Members wishing to use the observatory will need to provide proof of their operator status by means of their operator card and notation on the current operator list. The member will then be provided a secondary key the unlocks only the observatory. This key must also be returned as stated above or be subject to a fine.
AAS members are never charged a fee to visit the observatory field, but the the general public (including member guests) must pay a $7 park use fee at the park entrance or COE lodge front desk.
It is recommended that members call the COTE front desk the day before a planned visit, and just before you leave, to make sure the field is available. To coordinate with any other members visiting the field that night (there is only 1 gate key and 1 observatory key), it is also advisable to contact the COTE Astronomy Programs Manager and let him know you are planning to visit. Don’t assume that the COTE front desk will communicate with the program manager for you. Members must be off the field by Astronomical Twilight (am).
COTE front desk:
Local phone: 512-334-2070
Toll free number: 800-977-0081
EEO Landline:
512-715-0120
Astronomy Program Manager:
Jim Sheets
Phone: 620-242-5143
Email: startracker75@gmail.com