"We hope to break ground on the observatory in August or September," said Sandy Milo, executive director of the University South Foundation. The foundation, formerly known as the University Foundation of Sierra Vista, raises money to help support UAS projects.

Dine Under the Stars will give area residents a chance to sample food from 30 restaurants, look at stars through telescopes provided by the Huachuca Astronomy Club, participate in a silent auction and participate in other activities, Milo said.

"We have tickets for America West Airlines. Those were donated by Globetrotter travel," he also said. The tickets will be included in the silent auction. The cost of the event is $30 for adults and children 12 and older, and $15 for children.

The proposed observatory, which will be open to the community, comes with an estimated $500,000 price tag. So far, the foundation has raised about $130,000 for the project, Milo said.  

Plans call for a 16-foot domed building that will house a Ritchey-Chretien telescope with a 24-inch aperture.

The observatory project includes a separate 60-foot-by-30-foot building equipped with a sliding roof and nine smaller telescopes -- three small, three medium and three large -- Milo said. The facility also will have a classroom equipped with computers, which will be linked to the largest telescope.

HERALD/REVIEW reporter Diane Saunders can be reached at 458-9440 Ext. 111.