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| Alternative names | University of Wisconsin–Madison Washburn Observatory |
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| Named after | Cadwallader C. Washburn |
| Organization | |
| Observatory code | 753 |
| Location | Madison, Wisconsin, US |
| Coordinates | 43°04′35″N89°24′32″W / 43.0765°N 89.4089°W /43.0765; -89.4089 |
| Website | www |
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Washburn Observatory | |
| Built | 1881[2] |
| Architect | Jones, David R.[1] |
| Architectural style | Italianate[1] |
| NRHP reference No. | 85000575[1] |
| Added to NRHP | 3/14/1985[1] |
TheWashburn Observatory (obs. code:753) is anastronomical observatory located at 1401 Observatory Drive on theUniversity of Wisconsin–Madison campus inMadison, Wisconsin, United States. Completed in 1881, it was a majorresearch facility for about 50 years. Today, it is home to the UW-Madison College of Letters and Science Honors Program, while thetelescope remains in use by students in introductoryastronomy courses and the general public during open houses and viewings.
The observatory is named after the formerWisconsin governor,Cadwallader C. Washburn. In 1876, theWisconsin State Legislature passed "An Act to permanently provide for deficiencies in the University fund income" to which Washburn added a provision that allocated a sum of $3000USD per year over three years for the establishment of astronomy instruction and a corresponding observatory. This money was not to come from state funds, but was to be raised with property tax.[2]
On September 18, 1877,John Bascom, the president of the University, announced that Washburn would provide an observatory with atelescope that was to be larger than the 15-inchrefractor at Harvard. Washburn, along with the Board of Regents, chose the site of the observatory to be removed from the city ofMadison with the university campus acting as the divider. The site was about 100 feet aboveLake Mendota on the north side of campus and, at the time, was surrounded by a vineyard and orchard. Construction on the observatory was started in May, 1878, and a contract was given toAlvan Clark to build the telescope. It was decided that the telescope would have a diameter of 15.6 inches, which would make it the third largest in theUnited States.
James C. Watson was appointed the first director of the observatory. He oversaw the completion of the original building, and also provided funding for a students' observatory, as well as a solar observatory. He died suddenly in 1880, never seeing the completed observatory.[2] The instruments in the solar observatory, meant to be used in locating the hypothetical planetVulcan, were removed in 1882.[3] He was succeeded by DirectorsEdward S. Holden (1883-1886) thenGeorge C. Comstock (1886-1922).[4]
Joel Stebbins became the Director in 1922, and the observatory became a focus for pioneering work on photoelectricphotometry as well as the study ofvariable stars and theinterstellar reddening of starlight. He retired in 1948, being succeeded byAlbert Whitford.[5] The observatory was used quite heavily until the newPine Bluff Observatory was dedicated in 1958. Whitford was instrumental in persuading the faculty to fund this new instrument. He left to become Director ofLick Observatory shortly after it was dedicated.[6] Today Washburn Observatory is home to the University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Letters & Science Honors Program. The telescope, managed by the UW Department of Astronomy, is still used for public viewings and educational events.[7]
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