Chamberlin Observatory

Chamberlin Observatory
Chamberlin Observatory, circa 1900.
Organization	University of Denver
Location	2930 E. Warren Ave., Denver, Colorado, U.S.A.
Coordinates	39°40′34″N 104°57′11″W / 39.67611°N 104.95306°W / 39.67611; -104.95306
Altitude	1651 meters (5417 feet)
Weather	See the Clear Sky Chart
Established	1890
Website Chamberlin Observatory homepage
Telescopes Alvan Clark-George N. Saegmuller 20-inch aperture, f/15 refractor Chamberlin Observatory U.S. National Register of Historic Places Colorado State Register of Historic Properties Location 2930 E. Warren Ave., Denver, Colorado Coordinates 39°40′34″N 104°57′11″W / 39.67611°N 104.95306°W / 39.67611; -104.95306Coordinates: 39°40′34″N 104°57′11″W / 39.67611°N 104.95306°W / 39.67611; -104.95306 Built 1891 Architectural style Romanesque, Other, Richardsonian Romanesque Governing body Private NRHP Reference # 80000887[1] CSRHP # 5DV.187 Added to NRHP March 27, 1980

Chamberlin Observatory is an astronomical observatory owned and operated by the University of Denver. It is located in Denver, Colorado (USA) 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 2011, 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.

See also

• List of observatories

References

1. ↑ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2010-07-09. 
2. ↑ Stencel, Robert E. "Chamberlin Observatory homepage". Welcome to the Virtual Tour. Retrieved December 16, 2005. 
3. ↑ Stencel, Claire M.; Stencel, Robert E. (2006). Denver's Great Telescope. Denver: University of Denver Astronomy Program. ISBN 0-9762017-2-0. Retrieved October 29, 2011. 
4. ↑ "The University of Denver's Historic Chamberlin Observatory". Denver Astronomical Society. Retrieved October 29, 2011. 

External links

• Chamberlin Observatory Clear Sky Chart Forecasts of observing conditions.
• Denver Astronomical Society Public Outreach Includes events at the observatory