Stull Observatory

Stull Observatory is an astronomical observatory owned and operated by Alfred University. Named after Dr. John Stull, who helped establish the observatory in 1966, it is located in Alfred, New York (USA). It is notable for housing seven independently housed telescopes ranging in size from 8 to 32 inches.[1] The largest, the Austin-Fellows 32 inch Newtonian Reflector is tied with the Vassar College Class of 1951 Observatory[2] for the rank of second largest optical telescope in New York state after the 40 inch telescope at SUNY Oneonta College Observatory. Telescopes at the observatory are regularly opened to the public.[3] The observatory is also used for those pursuing a minor in astronomy or a concentration in astrophysics.[4]

Stull Observatory
OrganizationAlfred University
Observatory code 784 
LocationNew York
Coordinates42°15′N 77°47′W
Established1966
Websitehttp://merlin.alfred.edu/stull.html
Telescopes
Austin-Fellows Telescope[1]32in Newtonian reflector
The Metzger Telescope20in Newtonian reflector
"Rich" Rose Heleostat6in Heliostat
The Alden Ritchey-Chrétien reflector16in Ritchey-Chrétien
The Olson – Grindle telescope16in Newtonian/Cassegrain reflector
1863 Fitz9in refractor
Location of Stull Observatory

History

The history of the Stull Observatory goes back to 1863, when the astronomer William A. Rogers ordered and donated a 9-inch refractor with the American optician Henry Fitz. Sometime in the 1920s, with astronomy having been neglected at the University, the observatory was torn down and the telescope mothballed. It was very nearly lost and destroyed during this period, but in the late 1950s its existence was made known to John Stull, a ceramic engineering Ph.D. who was teaching physics. Over the next several years the telescope was used at several locations on campus. Finally, in 1966 Stull and the University established an observatory for the telescope.[5]

What is now called the Stull Observatory began with the construction of two domes, one for the 9 inch Fitz telescope and the other for a 16-inch Newtonian reflector. The Fitz was rebuilt in 1970, with a metal tube replacing the badly damaged wooden one. (The original tube is currently being restored by James Gort.) In 1971 the 16 inch Newtonian was replaced with the current 20 inch "Metzger" newtonian.

In the interim, a heated classroom building was constructed (1968) and a 16-inch Ealing "Educator" Cassegrain (the "Grindle") had been purchased (1969), and ultimately modified. 1976 saw the addition of the 14 inch Newtonian (the "Olson") telescope, while the "Rose" heliostat was added in 1978.

In 1992 the 32 inch Newtonian ("Austin-Fellows") telescope was completed. In 1996, due to funding from the National Science Foundation, a computerized telescope control system was installed.

Since 1992 the Observatory has purchased two commercial 8 inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes as well as significant amounts of electronic support equipment.

See also

References
  1. "The Telescopes". Archived from the original on 2008-07-04. Retrieved 2009-06-02.
  2. "Facilities - Physics and Astronomy Department - Vassar College". Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  3. "Public Open Houses at the Stull Observatory". Archived from the original on 1998-05-09. Retrieved 2009-06-02.
  4. "Stull Observatory Homepage". The Stull Observatory at Alfred University. Archived from the original on December 23, 2005. Retrieved December 15, 2005.
  5. "The History of Astronomy at Alfred University". Archived from the original on 2008-07-04. Retrieved 2009-06-02.
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