Chamberlin Observatory

Chamberlin Observatory
Chamberlin Observatory, circa 1900.
Organization University of Denver
Observatory code 708 Edit this on Wikidata
Location 2930 E. Warren Ave., Denver, Colorado, U.S.
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 mysite.du.edu/~rstencel/Chamberlin/
Telescopes
Alvan Clark-George N. Saegmuller

20-inch aperture, f/15 refractor

Chamberlin Observatory
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
NRHP reference # 80000887[1]
CSRHP # 5DV.187
Added to NRHP March 27, 1980
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.

See also

References

  1. ↑ National Park Service (2010-07-09). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  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. ↑ "Chamberlin Observatory". Denver Astronomical Society. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
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