Jack C. Davis Observatory
Encyclopedia
The Jack C. Davis Observatory is a public research-level observatory
at Western Nevada College
in Carson City, Nevada
. The facility has three telescope
s, two sixteen inch models and one ten inch. One telescope is equipped with a spectrograph
. Outside the building, a fourth telescope has been installed under a robotic dome and is used for studying sunspots. All of the telescopes are equipped with cameras, and are connected to the Internet so large groups can access images from remote locations.
A Campbell Scientific research-grade weather station
is installed outside the observatory. The solar-powered instrument collects weather data and sends it to the Desert Research Institute
in Reno, Nevada
for analysis and on-line publication. The Planetary Walkway connects the main campus with the observatory. Lining the walkway are massive sandstone monuments created by artistic inmates from the Nevada State Prison
at the prison's old quarry. The stones feature carved images of the planets, along with information about the planet and a dedication to the donors.
The Western Nevada Astronomical Society is an observing group affiliated with Western Nevada College and the Jack C. Davis Observatory. The WNAS is dedicated to supporting the astronomical community through education, social functions, and service.
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...
at Western Nevada College
Western Nevada College
Western Nevada College is a public college serving northwest Nevada. It is accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and of Colleges and Universities. The main branch of the college is located in Carson City, Nevada with other campuses in the cities of Fallon and Minden...
in Carson City, Nevada
Carson City, Nevada
The Consolidated Municipality of Carson City is the capital of the state of Nevada. The words Consolidated Municipality refer to a series of changes in 1969 which abolished Ormsby County and merged all the settlements contained within its borders into Carson City. Since that time Carson City has...
. The facility has three 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...
s, two sixteen inch models and one ten inch. One telescope is equipped with a spectrograph
Spectrograph
A spectrograph is an instrument that separates an incoming wave into a frequency spectrum. There are several kinds of machines referred to as spectrographs, depending on the precise nature of the waves...
. Outside the building, a fourth telescope has been installed under a robotic dome and is used for studying sunspots. All of the telescopes are equipped with cameras, and are connected to the Internet so large groups can access images from remote locations.
A Campbell Scientific research-grade weather station
Weather station
A weather station is a facility, either on land or sea, with instruments and equipment for observing atmospheric conditions to provide information for weather forecasts and to study the weather and climate. The measurements taken include temperature, barometric pressure, humidity, wind speed, wind...
is installed outside the observatory. The solar-powered instrument collects weather data and sends it to the Desert Research Institute
Desert Research Institute
The Desert Research Institute is the nonprofit research campus of the Nevada System of Higher Education , the organization that oversees all publicly-supported higher education in the U.S. state of Nevada...
in Reno, Nevada
Reno, Nevada
Reno is the county seat of Washoe County, Nevada, United States. The city has a population of about 220,500 and is the most populous Nevada city outside of the Las Vegas metropolitan area...
for analysis and on-line publication. The Planetary Walkway connects the main campus with the observatory. Lining the walkway are massive sandstone monuments created by artistic inmates from the Nevada State Prison
Nevada State Prison
Nevada State Prison is a penitentiary located in Carson City. The prison has been in continuous operation since it was established in 1862 and is managed by the Nevada Department of Corrections. It is one of the oldest prisons still operating in the United States. The high security facility housed...
at the prison's old quarry. The stones feature carved images of the planets, along with information about the planet and a dedication to the donors.
The Western Nevada Astronomical Society is an observing group affiliated with Western Nevada College and the Jack C. Davis Observatory. The WNAS is dedicated to supporting the astronomical community through education, social functions, and service.