Facilities

Teaching Observatory

Brief History

Established in 1956 to house an historic 8-inch Alvan Clarke refracting telescope donated by a wealthy Chicago architect, Richard Schmidt, the University of Florida Astronomy Teaching Observatory was originally located on a small hill south of the University Police Station overlooking what is now the Medical Center. By the late 1960's the university decided to build a Centrex telephone system building on this side. Consequently, the Observatory was moved to its present location south of the Reitz Union about 1970.

See History of the Teaching Observatory for additional details and pictures.

Summary of Activities

The Teaching Observatory is a beehive of activity. On four nights each week it is used by elementary astronomy students totaling 800 per year. Smaller numbers of advanced students share the facilities, which now include nine telescopes. And every Friday night the Observatory opens its doors to the public, including townspeople and students. It is estimated that more than 2,500 visitors each year enjoy these popular open houses, which are hosted by two paid assistants who operate the telescopes, answer the many questions, and display educational videos. On special occasions, such as the passage of a bright comet, an eclipse, or an opposition of a prominent planet, as many as 500 visitors have crowded the Observatory on a single night!

Future Plans

Once again, campus growth is threatening this busy Observatory with encroaching buildings and bright lights. Emphasis on night classes and campus-wide lighting make it unlikely that any site on the main campus will long remain viable.

Campus architects have prepared a detailed estimate of a new facility. The new Observatory would include badly needed features that are now lacking, such as a small classroom and a restroom. The total cost has been estimated as $532,470. Because of the availability of matching funds, a donor would need to provide only half of this total to establish a highly visible and exceptionally valuable memorial. We would anticipate attaching the name of the donor or his or her designee to the new Observatory as an enduring commemoration of our gratitude.

Facilities

The mission of the Teaching Observatory is to support the instruction of undergraduate astronomy laboratory courses and to accommodate the Astronomy Department's Public Open Houses. To fulfill this mission, the Teaching Observatory is now equipped with a variety of telescopes and accessories.

See Teaching Observatory Facilities for a list of equipment.

Location

The University of Florida Astronomy Teaching Observatory is located on the UF campus, south of the Reitz Union parking lot and west of the Aerospace Engineering building, off the Museum Road

See Locator Maps for directions and maps to the Teaching Obsevatory.