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The Yerkes Observatory is an astronomy observatory of the University of Chicago, located in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. The observatory was created, in 1897, by George Ellery Hale and financed by Charles T. Yerkes. It represented a shift in the thinking of observatories, from mere housing for a telescope and observer, to the modern concept of observation equipment integrated with laboratory space for physics and chemistry. A 40-inch/102 cm refracting telescope is located inside; it was the largest telescope until the construction of Mount Wilson's reflector. It remains to be the largest refracting telescope ever built.In addition to the Yerkes refractor, the observatory also has a 102 cm (40 inch) and a 61 cm (24 inch) reflecting telescope. Several smaller telescopes are used for educational outreach purposes.
Current research includes the interstellar medium, globular cluster formation, infrared astronomy, and near-Earth objects. Additionally, the University of Chicago maintains a sizable engineering center in the observatory, dedicated to making and maintaining scientific instruments.
The current director is Dr. Kyle M. Cudworth .
1 Related topics
- List of largest optical refracting telescopesHere is a list of the largest optical refracting telescopes sorted by lens diameter. The largest refractor ever constructed was French. It was on display at the 1900 Paris Exposition. Its lens was stationary, prefigured so as to sag into the correct shape
- List of observatoriesThe following is a list of astronomical observatories, along with initial dates of operation and location, if available. A Anglo-Australian Observatory 1973 Coonabarabran, Australia Antarctic Muon and Neutrino Detector Array (Amanda) 2002 Antarctic Apache
2 External links
- Yerkes Observatory - official site.
- Description and history from the National Park ServiceNational Park Service Established April 5, 1916 Director Fran P. Mainella Budget 1. 6 billion (2004) Employees 20,000 (2004) The National Park Service (NPS) is the government agency in the United States that deals with national parks and monuments. It was.
Astronomical observatories
University of Chicago
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