Volunteers arrived at the Sky’s The Limit Observatory and Nature Center in Twentynine Palms this weekend to discover the theft of facility’s complete photovoltaic system. Reporter Mike Lipsitz has more …
The stolen system was the only source of power for the non-profit organization’s automated telescopes, computers, and Observatory dome. And although a cancellation notice for Saturday night’s Milky Way observation event was posted on the Sky’s The Limit Facebook page, a steady stream of well-wishers, tourists and supporters offering donations were drawn there. As dusk fell, core volunteers, determined to persevere, staffed the observatory with few lights and manually operated telescopes. Visitors, including a group of students from San Bernardino, were delighted with spectacular views of our Milky Way Galaxy. The stolen system, valued at $7,000 to $10,000, was composed entirely of donated materials. So thorough and precise was the callous crime, those familiar with the equipment speculated that the thief or thieves had a sophisticated knowledge of the system components. Anyone with possible information on the theft should go to wetip.com or call 800-782-7463. Callers may remain anonymous.
