One very popular college observatory in the United States is the Vassar College Observatory, which is located in Poughkeepsie.
The observatory, one very important telescope of which is an 8 inch (or 20.32 centimeters) refracting telescope, is under the maintenance and supervision of the Vassar College Department of Physics and Astronomy.
Aside from the refracting telescope, the observatory also has two more important astronomical telescope instruments, the 32 inch (or 81.28 centimeters) reflecting telescope which is one of the largest reflector telescope instrument in the world and the 20 inch (or 50.8 centimeters) reflecting telescope.
If there is one person significantly associated with the Vassar observatory, she is Maria Mitchell, who is the first director of the observatory. Maria Mitchell is also known as the first female astronomer of the United States.
Vassar astronomy students are very fortunate because as early as their first year of enrolment in the course, they are already given the opportunity to use the observatory for their scientific and astronomical studies and research.
Not only is the observatory available for the college’s student. It is also open to visitors for use of its telescope. Open night is usually a Wednesday night, or Thursday if Wednesday night is not fit for viewing.
Monday, September 25, 2006
Friday, September 22, 2006
Parkes Observatory
In Australia or the Place Down Under is the Parkes Observatory. For a change, we will not discuss here a refracting telescope observatory as the Parkes is different - it is a radio telescope observatory. The Parkes observatory is found near the New South Wales town of Parkes.
The Parkes Observatory is a very popular astronomical center; it is well known for its dish that has been etched in astronomical science history as the one that transmitted the landings of the moon.
This telescope observatory’s main astronomical instrument is the 64 meter radio telescope, which is considered as one of the first and the largest movable dish in the world. The dish’s construction was completed in the year 1961 and up to this day is still operational and used for astronomical research.
As opposed to the refracting telescope which is composed mainly of lenses and eyepieces and gathers images, the radio scope is a large dish that is made mainly of metal. The function of this dish is to collect radio waves from space, hence its name. Usually, the radio waves they pick up and record are those that originated from stellar and other celestial and space objects.
The Parkes Observatory is a very popular astronomical center; it is well known for its dish that has been etched in astronomical science history as the one that transmitted the landings of the moon.
This telescope observatory’s main astronomical instrument is the 64 meter radio telescope, which is considered as one of the first and the largest movable dish in the world. The dish’s construction was completed in the year 1961 and up to this day is still operational and used for astronomical research.
As opposed to the refracting telescope which is composed mainly of lenses and eyepieces and gathers images, the radio scope is a large dish that is made mainly of metal. The function of this dish is to collect radio waves from space, hence its name. Usually, the radio waves they pick up and record are those that originated from stellar and other celestial and space objects.
Monday, September 18, 2006
John Craig's Astronomical Telescope
John Craig, a reverend from London, England, dreamed of constructing his own refracting telescope.
And so in the year 1852, the reverend’s dream became a reality. He was able to build his own refractor telescope.
Albeit the tower where the telescope was located was built in only a few months, the scope itself was built after a few years. The site of the telescope is on Wandsworth Common in London.
And during its time, Rev. Craig’s scope was the largest in the world.
Did you know that Rev John Craig does not have affiliation on any astronomical group or society? Still, he was inspired to create his own refracting telescope with the purpose of searching for answers to two questions that plagued his mind. One, if Venus the evening star also has a moon or satellite like the Earth and other planets, and second, if Saturn indeed has its own rings.
John Craig’s refractor telescope became popular soon after it became operational but the fame was short lived as it was discovered that the scope lens of the scope was inferior to be utilized for astronomical purposes.
And so in the year 1852, the reverend’s dream became a reality. He was able to build his own refractor telescope.
Albeit the tower where the telescope was located was built in only a few months, the scope itself was built after a few years. The site of the telescope is on Wandsworth Common in London.
And during its time, Rev. Craig’s scope was the largest in the world.
Did you know that Rev John Craig does not have affiliation on any astronomical group or society? Still, he was inspired to create his own refracting telescope with the purpose of searching for answers to two questions that plagued his mind. One, if Venus the evening star also has a moon or satellite like the Earth and other planets, and second, if Saturn indeed has its own rings.
John Craig’s refractor telescope became popular soon after it became operational but the fame was short lived as it was discovered that the scope lens of the scope was inferior to be utilized for astronomical purposes.
Monday, September 11, 2006
Mount Stromlo Observatory
If you are searching for an Australian observatory with a refracting telescope as one of its astronomical instruments, you might want to go to Mt. Stromlo in Canberra.
Founded n 1924 is the Mount Stromlo Observatory which can be found just beyond the boundary of Canberra in Australia. Also known as the Commonwealth Solar Observatory, it is part of the Australian National University’s Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics.
The site of the observatory is on Mt. Stromlo itself. Actually before its establishment in 1924, a telescope was already put up there 14 years earlier used as instruments for atmospheric researches.
The early decades of the twentieth century saw the Mount Stromlo Observatory specializing in atmospheric and solar research and observation. In was only after the second world war that the observatory engaged in the science of astronomy, specifically the study of the galaxies and stars – and at about this time, the observatory was renamed as the Commonwealth Observatory.
Aside from its 66 centimeter (26 inch) refracting telescope, other astronomical instruments are a 188 centimeter (74 inch) reflecting telescope and other smaller sized reflector telescope instruments (50 inch and 30 inch).
Founded n 1924 is the Mount Stromlo Observatory which can be found just beyond the boundary of Canberra in Australia. Also known as the Commonwealth Solar Observatory, it is part of the Australian National University’s Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics.
The site of the observatory is on Mt. Stromlo itself. Actually before its establishment in 1924, a telescope was already put up there 14 years earlier used as instruments for atmospheric researches.
The early decades of the twentieth century saw the Mount Stromlo Observatory specializing in atmospheric and solar research and observation. In was only after the second world war that the observatory engaged in the science of astronomy, specifically the study of the galaxies and stars – and at about this time, the observatory was renamed as the Commonwealth Observatory.
Aside from its 66 centimeter (26 inch) refracting telescope, other astronomical instruments are a 188 centimeter (74 inch) reflecting telescope and other smaller sized reflector telescope instruments (50 inch and 30 inch).
Monday, September 04, 2006
Nice Observatory
The Nice Observatory or the Observatoire de Nice is the popular refracting telescope observation facility that is found in this French city. It is strategically located on the summit of Mont Gros, which has a fine view of the city and the Baie des Anges.
The Nice Observatory is recognized as a major European astronomical institution devoted to astronomical researches and studies.
The observatory was a project of banker and philanthropist Raphael Bischoffmein. He initiated its construction in 1879 with the observatory’s architect as Charles Barnier. The world famous Gustave Eiffel was the one who designed the main dome of the observatory.
In 1888, the observatory was able to acquire a 76 centimeter refractor telescope and at the time of its operation was considered as the largest refracting telescope in the world.
However, the year after (in 1889), a better refractor telescope was purchased by the Lick Observatory, replacing the Nice astronomical telescope of the world’s largest.
The site of the observatory is considered as one of the best in Europe. Its park is wide and spacious and covering about an area of 100 acres. It is likewise well protected and maintained by the management of the observatory.
The Nice Observatory is recognized as a major European astronomical institution devoted to astronomical researches and studies.
The observatory was a project of banker and philanthropist Raphael Bischoffmein. He initiated its construction in 1879 with the observatory’s architect as Charles Barnier. The world famous Gustave Eiffel was the one who designed the main dome of the observatory.
In 1888, the observatory was able to acquire a 76 centimeter refractor telescope and at the time of its operation was considered as the largest refracting telescope in the world.
However, the year after (in 1889), a better refractor telescope was purchased by the Lick Observatory, replacing the Nice astronomical telescope of the world’s largest.
The site of the observatory is considered as one of the best in Europe. Its park is wide and spacious and covering about an area of 100 acres. It is likewise well protected and maintained by the management of the observatory.
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