Brief History of the
Stony Ridge Observatory

In 1957, a group of about 15 Southern California amateur astronomers completed a formal resolution creating the non-profit organization Stony Ridge Observatory, Inc. Their committment was to donate time, talent and money for the completion of an observatory facility housing a major instrument for amateur astronomy.

Six years later, first light on the Stony Ridge reflector telescope was celebrated. Upon completion, this superb 30-inch instrument was the eighth largest telescope in California and, most likely, the largest amateur telescope in the world.

The design of the telescope was the primary responsibility of George A. Carroll (d. 1983), a well-known telescope maker in Southern California. Another Carroll telescope, the 16.5-inch reflector at Westmont College's Carroll Observatory near Santa Barbara, California, was also put in place. Although the telescope has since been retired, the observatory still bears his name.

Left: George Carroll making adjustments to the elevator lift that gives an observer access to the prime focus, as much as 16 feet off the floor.

Discovery of main-belt asteroid 10168 Stony Ridge in 1995 by Associates Jack Child and John Rogers was made at the observatory using the 30-inch reflector and an SBIG ST6 CCD camera. The minor planet is named for our observatory and in remembrance to the original dedicated group of amateurs who created this facility.

Founding Memebers: (front row) John Sousa, John J. Terlep, Charles Buzzetti, Roy Cook, David Thomas, Alvin Cram, Anthony Bland; (rear row) Dr. William H. Griffith, Norman Boltz, George A. Carroll, Roy K. Ensign, H. J. Ireland, E. E. Sloman, Norris Roberts, and J. George Moyen