 Chamberlin Observatory, circa 1900 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Organization | University of Denver | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Observatory code | 708  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Location | 2930 E. Warren Ave.,Denver, Colorado, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 39°40′34″N104°57′11″W / 39.67611°N 104.95306°W /39.67611; -104.95306 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Altitude | 1651 meters (5417 feet) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weather | See theClear Sky Chart | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Established | 1890 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Website | mysite | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Telescopes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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  Location of Chamberlin Observatory | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Chamberlin Observatory is an astronomicalobservatory owned and operated by theUniversity of Denver. It is located inDenver, 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 byRobert S. Roeschlaub, with the astronomical aspects and functions designed by ProfessorHerbert Alonzo Howe after he visited many observatories in the east. It was modeled after theGoodsell Observatory atCarleton College inNorthfield, Minnesota, and constructed fromrusticated red sandstone blocks. TheRomanesque structure includes a centralrotunda and domed roof. Construction began in 1890.
The 20-inch objective lens for the observatory's mainrefracting telescope was made byAlvan Clark & Sons, and the mount was built byGeorge 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 ProfessorHerbert 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 bylight pollution, which limits its use in scientific research.
The observatory was built during thegolden era of great refractors in the late 19th century. The discovery of theMoons of Mars in 1877 using a 26-inch refractor, and several failed reflector projects, contributed to the popularity of refractor telescopes at that time. However, this era only lasted for ten years before the shift toward big reflectors occurred.
Media related toChamberlin Observatory at Wikimedia Commons
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