The sky is for everyone

With a deft cut, Cal State San Bernardino officials and guests opened the $3 million state-of-the-art Murillo Family Observatory on Nov. 18. It is the only teaching observatory in the Inland Empire.

But around the IE it will do more than quench the thirst of scholars. Soon, non-academics, would-be astronomers, donors, the curious and just plain lovers of the sky will make their way up the hill to view the stars through Murillo’s two large telescopes and smaller telescopes around the observation deck. The observatory, which sits atop Badger Hill behind the CSUSB campus, also will have public viewing nights and special astronomy events for the community to attend.

Named for Pauline and George Murillo and their family who made a major contribution of $800,000 toward the project, the observatory would not have happened without the Murillo Family’s support, said CSUSB President Albert Karnig.

“We are both fortunate and grateful that Pauline and George Murillo and their family have such a strong commitment to education which has resulted in their generous donation to the observatory,” Karnig said. The observatory will serve as a center for the training of teachers in the subjects of astronomy and space sciences; expose students studying astronomy to the wonders of the universe through direct observation; and facilitate student research through hands-on observing akin to that experienced at professional laboratories.

Major donors have included the W.M. Keck Foundation, Evelyn Magnuson, California Portland Cement, the Weingart Foundation, Southern California Edison, the Hill Partnership, Glenda Bayless, Matich Corporation and Jim Imbiorski.

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