Chamberlin Observatory
 Chamberlin Observatory, circa 1900. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Organization | University of Denver | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Observatory code | 708  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Location | 2930 E. Warren Ave., Denver, Colorado, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 39°40′34″N 104°57′11″W / 39.67611°N 104.95306°W | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Altitude | 1651 meters (5417 feet) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weather | See the Clear Sky Chart | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Established | 1890 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Website | mysite | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Telescopes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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  Location of Chamberlin Observatory | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Related media on Wikimedia Commons | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chamberlin Observatory is an astronomical observatory owned and operated by the University of Denver. It is located in Denver, Colorado (US) in Observatory Park. It is named for Humphrey B. Chamberlin, a Denver real estate magnate who pledged $50,000 in 1888 to build and equip the facility.
The observatory building was designed by Robert S. Roeschlaub, with the astronomical aspects and functions designed by Professor Herbert Alonzo Howe after he visited many observatories in the east. It was modeled after the Goodsell Observatory at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, and constructed from rusticated red sandstone blocks. The Romanesque structure includes a central rotunda and domed roof. Construction began in 1890.
The 20-inch objective lens for the observatory's main refracting telescope was made by Alvan Clark & Sons, and the mount was built by George Nicholas Saegmuller. The mount rests on a cast iron pillar which is in turn supported by a massive stone pier. Assembly of the telescope was supervised by Professor Herbert Alonzo Howe. The telescope saw first light in 1894.[2][3]
As of 2018, the Denver Astronomical Society hosts several public outreach events at the observatory every month.[4] As it is located in a large metropolitan area, the observatory is heavily affected by light pollution, which limits its use in scientific research.
In the late 19th century, building great refractors was popular, despite their small apertures compared to reflectors. Several failed reflector projects, and the US Naval Observatory's discovery of the Moons of Mars in 1877 using a 26-inch refractor, contributed to this trend. In just ten years the shift towards big reflectors occurred such as with the 60-inch Hale of 1908.
See also[]
- List of observatories
- List of largest optical refracting telescopes
- List of the largest optical telescopes in North America (1900s section)
References[]
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- ^ Stencel, Robert E. "Chamberlin Observatory homepage". Welcome to the Virtual Tour. Archived from the original on 2006-01-27. Retrieved December 16, 2005.
- ^ Stencel, Claire M.; Stencel, Robert E. (2006). Denver's Great Telescope. Denver: University of Denver Astronomy Program. ISBN 0-9762017-2-0. Archived from the original on September 29, 2011. Retrieved October 29, 2011.
- ^ "Chamberlin Observatory". Denver Astronomical Society. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
External links[]
Media related to Chamberlin observatory at Wikimedia Commons
- Chamberlin Observatory Clear Sky Chart Forecasts of observing conditions.
- Denver Astronomical Society Public Outreach Includes events at the observatory
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- Astronomical observatories in Colorado
- 1890 establishments in Colorado
- National Register of Historic Places in Denver
- University of Denver
- Education in Denver
- Tourist attractions in Denver
- University and college buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Colorado