Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium
Encyclopedia
Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium is a part of Butler University
in Indianapolis, Indiana
. A small observatory was built on the Butler campus on the east side of Indianapolis. The campus moved to the north side of Indianapolis in 1928 and the old observatory was torn down.
The telescope
was reconditioned in the 1930s and remounted on the new campus, but sat unused until 1945.
In 1953, benefactor James Irving Holcomb and his wife gave $325,000 for the construction of an observatory
. In October 1954, a 38 inches (965.2 mm) reflecting telescope
was installed by J. W. Fecker, Inc. The observatory was built on a hill on the north end of the Butler University campus
.
Planetarium
equipment includes a Spitz A3P projector installed in 1981.
The telescope was refurbished over 7 years beginning in 1995 by AB Engineering of Fort Wayne, Indiana
at a cost of approximately $100,000.
39°50′29"N 86°10′17"W
Butler University
Butler University is a private university located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Founded in 1855 and named after founder Ovid Butler, the university offers 60 degree programs to 4,400 students through six colleges: business, communication, education, liberal Arts and sciences, pharmacy and health...
in Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
. A small observatory was built on the Butler campus on the east side of Indianapolis. The campus moved to the north side of Indianapolis in 1928 and the old observatory was torn down.
The telescope
Telescope
A telescope is an instrument that aids in the observation of remote objects by collecting electromagnetic radiation . The first known practical telescopes were invented in the Netherlands at the beginning of the 1600s , using glass lenses...
was reconditioned in the 1930s and remounted on the new campus, but sat unused until 1945.
In 1953, benefactor James Irving Holcomb and his wife gave $325,000 for the construction of an observatory
Observatory
An observatory is a location used for observing terrestrial or celestial events. Astronomy, climatology/meteorology, geology, oceanography and volcanology are examples of disciplines for which observatories have been constructed...
. In October 1954, a 38 inches (965.2 mm) reflecting telescope
Reflecting telescope
A reflecting telescope is an optical telescope which uses a single or combination of curved mirrors that reflect light and form an image. The reflecting telescope was invented in the 17th century as an alternative to the refracting telescope which, at that time, was a design that suffered from...
was installed by J. W. Fecker, Inc. The observatory was built on a hill on the north end of the Butler University campus
Campus
A campus is traditionally the land on which a college or university and related institutional buildings are situated. Usually a campus includes libraries, lecture halls, residence halls and park-like settings...
.
Planetarium
Planetarium
A planetarium is a theatre built primarily for presenting educational and entertaining shows about astronomy and the night sky, or for training in celestial navigation...
equipment includes a Spitz A3P projector installed in 1981.
The telescope was refurbished over 7 years beginning in 1995 by AB Engineering of Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne is a city in the US state of Indiana and the county seat of Allen County. The population was 253,691 at the 2010 Census making it the 74th largest city in the United States and the second largest in Indiana...
at a cost of approximately $100,000.
External links
- Indianapolis Clear Sky Clock Forecasts of observing conditions covering Holcomb Observatory.
39°50′29"N 86°10′17"W