Pedro Diaz and his son Michael, 3, enjoy the view of Lynn at sunset from High Rock Tower. Photo by Paula Muller
By Bridget Turcotte
LYNN — Stargazers have their sights set on High Rock Tower and its view of the stars.
Overlooking the city with a domed observatory reached by stairs, the tower is equipped with a 12-inch Meade telescope that allows visitors to get a good look at the night sky.
The lenses are powerful enough to view the rings of Saturn, Jupiter and her moons, galaxies and star clusters. A computerized tracking system creates maps of the sky.
“It’s a great resource that the city has,” said Jamie Marsh, the city’s community development director. “A 98-year-old gentleman who took 20 minutes to get up to the top came up and saw the stars. People come from all over to utilize it. I think it’s great people from Swampscott and Boxford are coming to Lynn.”
The tower was closed off from the public until 2001, when staff from the city’s Community Development department began volunteering their time to take groups, including scouts, church groups and families for viewings.
Marsh leads the demonstration, lining up the scope with the moon and answering questions.
A tour on Tuesday night offered a clear look at the moon, but during tours later in the season, more can be seen, he said.
Lily King, 6, has been coming to the events since she was a baby, said her mom, Dorothy Louisos of Beverly.
“It’s cool because I like space,” King said.
She added that at home, she has glow-in-the-dark stars and planets on her bedroom ceiling.
“Seeing Saturn is amazing,” said Louisos. “When you see it in the pictures, you think that’s somehow not what it is.”
A camera on the telescope broadcasts what is seen in the observatory on a monitor downstairs for handicap accessibility, Marsh said.
The tower was given to the city with the intention of it being “a place for learning and thought.” In the future, a stone cottage that sits on the property will become a classroom, Marsh said.
Those interested in a peak at the heavens will have another chance to get a glimpse at the night sky on Oct. 11 and Nov. 8 at 6 p.m.
Bridget Turcotte can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @BridgetTurcotte.