Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1916-02-10
PROBES HEAVENS
FROM HIS LAWN
MACON, MO. MAN HAS UNIQUE
BUILDING ON HOME
Grounds Electric Lighted and Hun.
dreds Of People Journey to Place
for Gaze Into Skies.

Not all astronomical obseryatoriea
in this country are State or Govern
ment owned. There's one Just erect.
en- in Macon, Mo, for example, which
proves what headway even a private
citizen can make toward stimulating
interest in probing the heavens.
John A. Koch of Macon, Is RESPONSE
ble for the model observatory, altho
his friends contributed financially In
loosting the plan. Mr.. Cook, however,
spent his money and worked hard, too,
until the building was completed.
The observatory is located on the
lawn OF the Cook residence, and 1t Ii
favorite place to hold socials and
moon parties where refreshments are
served, and money for church purposes
raised. Those who attend get view
OF the moon thru the telescope Hun
dreds OF people have been entertain
ed in a single evening in this way.
The observatory and grounds are
electric lighted, a four candlepower
frosted globe furnishes the light for
the observing room. This enables
persons TO move about, yet not dazzle
the eye of the person using the teles-
cope.
The seven inch refracting telescope
stands on a concrete pier, which runs
from good footing in the ground to
eleven feet above. passing thru both
floors which do not touch it The pier
measures 42x4S inches at the bottom,
and tapers to 26X30 inches at the top.
On 1t stands the 8 foot iron pier that
carries the telescope. No matter how
many persons are moving about in the
building there is no vibration communL
Gated to the instrument, yet a moving
train a quarter of mile away will be
shown by vibrations in the instrument
The Is foot dome is moved by man
power and is perfectly satisfactory.
The shutter opens 80 inches. It is
weather tight and moves easy. The
lower room was needed TO elevate the
telescope so as to secure better hor-
iZon. II contains an extensive collec-
tion of curios of an interesting and
instructive nature. Indian relics pro-
dominate. as it is Mr.. Cooks ambition
to preserve as nearly as possible q
complete representation of the various
articles of welfare and of general use
by those who came before the whito
man. 1t will be an interesting remind
er to future generations OF the stone
age in Missouri.
Mr.. Cook is making technical
study of the sun and moon, but the
main purpose in the establishment OF
the observatory was TO create an In
terest among laymen in the beauties
of the heavens. The generous oppor-
tunty is taken advantage OF not only
by the people of Macon, but by auto
parties who frequently travel long
distance to see the planets thru the
big telescope, and TO hear Mr.. Cook
explain them. All is absolutely free
Of charge to visitors
The idea seems TO prevail that ev-
en- the most meager knowledge OF as-
tronomy requires so much study and
effort, that this beautiful science is all
but totally neglected, and as result
perhaps, not more than per cent OF
he people can explain the phases of
the moon, an eclipse, or point out and
name a single constellation in the
heavens.
MI Cook insists that this should
rot be the case He thinks it would
be of great advantage TO estab blish a
short course in astronomy as part
of the high school work, so that grad
yates will not have to confess igno-
rance of this wonderful part of the
universe.
1T would be we'll if every theologi-
cal student We're required 10 stand an
astronomical examination" said Mr..
Cook. He would find it of great yal-
ue as every step he made in planetary
knowledge would confirm the wisdom.
the power and the goodness of the
Creator. What congregation would
dare get sleepy under a discourse OF
this nature? 1t would be thrilling, fas-
cinating, powerful,
MANY persons regard astronomy as
impractical, visionary and better fitted
for dreamers and astrologers than for
busy practical men, but as matter of
fact the world could spare any other
science better than astronomy.
eliminate all astronomical knowl-
edge, and we would be where the
world was Intellectually thousands of
years ago! We would have no system
of correct time, so essential in the
business world today; no science OF
navigation by which a ship follows its
path from port to port.
Explorers would not be able to To-
cate themselves at the poles except by
DR.. Cooks shadow method At the
poles there is no way as reliable as the
shadow test, on account of the sun be-
ing so low observations are unreliable.
I'VE would have no science of sur
veying, by which boundary lines be-
tween states and countries could be
fixed.
"But perhaps the greatest good that
| the science of astronomy has accom-