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Tamke-Allan Observatory is a
facility administered by Roane State Community
College. It is not
affiliated with SMAS, however many members take advantage of the public
nights, use the good seeing the observatory provides, and participate in TAO
events. The observatory is
located at about 1000' elevation situated above Watts Bar Lake near Kingston. Maps and
directions are provided below.
Directions from Knoxville:
Take I-40 West to the Midtown exit, Exit 350. Midtown is the next exit west of the Clinch River bridge (at the
Kingston Steam Plant's tall chimneys). Many people speed right past the exit. As soon as you cross the bridge, start
looking for Exit 350.
At the stop sign at the end of the exit ramp, turn left. In 400 yards, you will
hit US 70. Turn right.
In roughly 2 ½ miles, find Caney Ford Baptist Church on the left. Turn left onto
Caney Creek Road which borders the far side of the church. (If you get to the
Roane County Park, you've overshot: turn around.) Continue on Caney Creek Road,
turning right over the bridge in about one mile and pass the boat dock
on your right.
In about 2 more miles, Joiner Hollow Road tees in from the right; bear left. Just 500 feet past that
intersection you will see a sign on the left indicating the turn to the observatory. Follow that
road to the top and be careful! It's curvy and narrow.
The observatory is at the end of the road. (Parking lot is to the right, through
an open gate.)
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