From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Hirsch Observatory is an astronomical observatory at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, New York. It is located on the roof of the Jonsson-Rowland Science Center (seen below) and is used by members of the Rensselaer Astrophysical Society as well as astronomy students in laboratory exercises. It is frequently opened to the community for public viewing sessions. The observatory's main dome contains a 16" Cassegrain Reflector, with a CCD camera and fully computerized controls. The observatory also owns several smaller scopes, a CCD Camera and a SBIG Spectrograph. The spectrograph has been used to catalog bright solar spectrum as part of an effort to create an online digital database for astrophysical research.
[edit] History
The Hirsch observatory finished construction in 1942.[1] It was built to house a 12" equatorial reflector designed at constructed at RPI. The telescope appeared on the cover of the October 1942 issue of Sky & Telescope magazine. Today the instrument is still operational and is stored on display in the lobby of the observatory. In 1980 the General Electric company donated a Boller and Chivens 16" Cassegrain telescope. The observatory was expanded and re-dedicated to celebrate the event. Then, in 1983 the observatory (reduced in size and scope) was moved to the roof of the Jonsson-Rowland Science Center to make room for construction of the Low Center for Industrial Innovation. During 2006 there was a $70,000 refurbishment, in which the control system and electronics were re-vamped and the telescope optics collimated. The institute considered replacing the telescope with a new one, but decided not to, because the older scope is very robust and is much heavier and stable then newer scopes.[2]
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ History of the Observatory
- ^ "Hirsch Observatory Newly Revamped" The Polytechnic 02-01-2007
