Analemma Society Programs

  • Roll-Top Observatory

    Fairfax County Park Authority opened the new Roll-Top observatory and classrooms in September 2011.  The facility is now used extensively for Fairfax County Park Programs and Analemma Society Friday night observing and educational programs.

  • Veil Nebula

    The Analemma Society was founded in 1998 to foster science through astronomy.  Star-Gazing at the moon, stars, and deep sky objects is a regular public event.

  • Looking into the Sky

    Analemma Society in cooperation with Fairfax County Park Authority is in the process of upgrading the Remote Accessed Telescope Observatory (RATO) for astronomical imaging.

  • M13 Globular Cluster

    Analemma Society has educational programs throughout the year to dexplain astronomical objects and their relevance to our lives.

  • Public Observing

    The Analemma Society hosts free public observing of the heavens each Friday night, weather permitting

  • Roll-Top Observatory

    The Roll-Top observatory holds free public observing every Friday night, weather permitting. 

  • RATO

    Analemma Society uses the RATO observatory.  The Roll-Top Observatory complements this for public observing made available through Fairfax County Park Authority for astronomical observing events and educational classes.

From Washington Lee University Shuko and Bryon Petty created a musical tribute in memory of Charles Olin of compositiions by Chopin and Schumann.  They noted his remarkable capability as an art onservator and recognized along with his wife Jacque, founded the Analemma Society.

From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08Ez5zAtuuU they note:

"Charles H. Olin (1933-2023) received a B.S. in physics at Dickinson College. He attended graduate school in Fine Arts at Cornell Univ. and the Art Conservation Center at N.Y. Univ. Invited by the Smithsonian Institution, he established multiple Conservation Programs; the Museum Conservation Institute, Smithsonian American Art Museum Lunder Center, and the Conservation Lab at the National Portrait Gallery. Additionally, he conserved exhibits for two Museum openings, established analytical processes and training programs for future conservators. Charles was among the founding members and a Fellow of the American Institute for Conservation. In private practice, Charles conserved works by Van Dyck, Rubens, etc., and Renoir’s “Luncheon of the Boating Party.” He was the founder of the Analemma Society and with his wife Jacque, instrumental in establishing the Remote Astronomical Telescope Observatory and the Rolltop Observatory and Educational Center, Great Falls, VA."

">www.analema.org/images/AS_videos/Musical_Tribute_in_Memory_of_Charles_Olin.mp4"}

 

The Fairfax County Park Authority awarded Analemma Society the 2023 Harold Strickland Award for Collaboration and Partnership for creating programming for Observatory Park visitors that minimizes or eliminates park bond funding. This award, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xp3VeBj4P-8, is decades in the making with a growing number of patrons and programs. 

In the past 5 years, Analemma Society has worked with more than 18,000 visitors at Observatory Park. Analemma Society volunteers donate more than 1,800 volunteer hours per year, fundraise for telescope purchases and maintain scientific equipment, as well as provide education and programs and festivals that teach science, technology, engineering and math through astronomy at Observatory Park in Great Falls, Virginia.

This year's ceremony featured a tribute to the vision and years of dedication of Analemma Society late founder Charles Olin https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/awards/ellydoyle. Fairfax County Park Authority Dranesville district representatives Timothy Hackman presented the Harold Strickland Award to Christina Tyler Wenks, who accepted the award for Analemma Society and was also named an outstanding volunteer. The award was given to Charles's wife, Jacqueline Olin, as the couple founded Analemma Society and Observatory Park together.

More information about the Elly Doyle Awards and recipients may be found at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/awards/ellydoyle. These videos were produced by Fairfax County Channel 16 and are shared with permission in celebration of the work of the many Analemma Society volunteers.

Analemma Society Award 2023

 

THE CHARLES AND JACQUELINE OLIN

SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Charles & Jacque Olin

HISTORY

Charles and Jacqueline Olin worked for over 20 years to establish Observatory Park at Turner Farm.  Their goal with the support of Analemma Society is to foster science education through astronomy with programs for youth and the public.

PURPOSE

High school and college students volunteer at Observatory Park.  Analemma Society wants to recognize their efforts by rewarding them with a scholarship grant to help advance their future education in STEM careers.

Please donate to this scholarship fund using the QR code on this page or by mailing a check to Analemma Society, PO Box 196, Great Falls, Virginia 22066 with a note to “scholarship fund.” The deadline for contributions is January 31, 2024.  Thank you!

qrcode Analemma Society

 

 

 

Charles & Jacque OlinWe are sad to report that after a period of ill health, Charles Olin, founding president of the Analemma Society passed away Tuesday night, March 28th, 2023.  Without his vision there would be no Observatory Park. Charles and Jacque Olin were a powerful team that time and again accomplished things that seemed impossible.  From a field of grass on the old Defense Mapping Agency and Nike site at Turner Farm, the concrete brick tower has become the Remote Astronomical Telescope Observatory (RATO), the dedication of a sundial garden, and through the Fairfax County Park Authority and a generous grant from the Edlemann's, we now have the Roll-Top Observatory and educational center.. Photo at right: Jacque and Charles Olin in front of the RATO, taken by TR Cook in 2013.

A memorial service was held at Observatory Park, Turner Farm in Great Falls, VA. for Charles on Sunday, May 21, 2023.

 

 

CHARLES H. OLIN (1933-2023)

Charles Olin

Charles H. Olin was born in Niagara Falls to West Point Grad. Col. Charles L. Olin and Jeanette A. Olin. In youth he developed passions for arts, astronomy, and travel, crossing the ocean via ocean liner many times.

Charles received a B.S. in physics at Dickinson College, where he met his wife, Jacqueline: married in 1955. Charles was commissioned into the Marine Corps as a second lieutenant, studying advanced weaponry systems, leading tank maneuvers, and serving in the honor guard at 8th and I Marine Barracks, rising to the rank of captain.

Charles attended graduate school in Fine Arts at Cornell University, and then became one of the first students to attend the Art Conservation Center at New York University, Institute of Fine Arts. Charles was invited by the Smithsonian Institution to establish and develop multiple Conservation Programs for the Smithsonian. He was founder of the U.S. National Museum’s Conservation Analytical Laboratory (now the Museum Conservation Institute), The National Collection of Fine Arts Conservation Lab (now the Smithsonian American Art Museum Lunder Center), and the Conservation Lab at the National Portrait Gallery.

At the Smithsonian, Charles was responsible for conserving exhibits for two Museum openings, establishing analytical processes, and developing programs for training future conservators. He was among the founding members and a Fellow of the American Institute for Conservation.

After working at the Smithsonian Charles established a private conservation studio in Great Falls, VA: Olin Conservation, Inc.  Charles’ company continues to serve numerous private, institutional, and museum clients across the country. During his own work in the private sector, Charles continued to train conservators, including a number of well-respected conservators in the field today. One of these is his son David. Charles was responsible for the conservation of innumerable works, including Renoir’s “Luncheon of the Boating Party”.

Charles considered his work in art conservation a "profession", rather than a "business." The key to his approach was observation, understanding, and attention to detail. These qualities were present in his lifelong passions. The study of science, specifically physics and astronomy, was omnipresent in every aspect of Charles's life. He was an avid gardener, naturalist, and he enjoyed the edible bounty of natural plants and wild game. Charles was a dedicated bow hunter and trapper. His love of classical music and opera was well known. Charles led championship teams with the Washington Area Dart Association and made wine from local vineyards. He enjoyed cooking. Charles was an accomplished sailor, including blue water adventures in his Hinckley Pilot 35, Betelgeux.

In Great Falls, VA, Charles became an EMT with the Great Falls Volunteer Fire Department. He was also the founding president of the Analemma Society at Observatory Park.

Survivors include wife, Jacqueline S. Olin, daughter, Dr. Deborah Norris, son David Olin, granddaughters Jessie Taylor and Jacqueline Hernandez, grandson Jon H. Norris, great-granddaughters Avery and Livia Taylor, and great-grandson Monte Taylor.

With a date-line of May 21,2019 read the digital Sky and Telescope where Jeffrey Kretsch tells how the Analemma Society helped turn a former Cold War misile control site into a thriving observatory park.  Back in the 60's Turner farm was part dairy farm and part missile control site operated by the U.S. Army.  In 1961, the complex with its buildings and radar structures was turned over to the U.S. Army Map Service, which a decade later became the Defense Mapping Agency with a charter to accurately measure the earth's gravitational field my tracking satellites.  How did Observatory Park come about?  Click hereThe Making of Turner Farm Observatory in Star-Gazers Corner of Sky and Telescope.