| Warren Rupp Observatory | |||||
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| Organization | Richland Astronomical Society | ||||
| Location | Mansfield, Ohio, United States | ||||
| Website www.wro.org |
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Warren Rupp Observatory is an astronomical observatory owned and operated by Richland Astronomical Society. Built in 1985, it is located in Hidden Hollow camp ground near Mansfield, Ohio (USA).
The telescope is one of the world's largest amateur operated telescopes. It has public observing nights on the first Saturday of every month, weather permitting.
Warren Rupp Observatory is current giving public education and astronomy outreach programs regardless of weather conditions on all regularly scheduled public nights. Viewing through the 31" is only weather dependent and indoor facilities are available for programs.
The mirror blank for the 31" telescope was donated to the Lake Erie Astronomical Project by General Electric in 1968. The blank was originally intended for use McMath Solar Observatory on Kitt Peak, Arizona, which rejected the blank in favor of a larger mirror. Approximately 2,000 subsequent hours were spent grinding the mirror. The telescope saw first light in 1974.
The telescope was donated to the Richland Astronomical Society in 1982 provided there would be a building to house it. The project was primarily financed by member Warren Rupp, after whom the observatory is named, and construction was completed in 1985. The completed telescope weighs over 7,500 pounds, and is an f/7 Newtonian.