The
Cooley Telescope
The
ca. 1900 Warner and Swasey telescope
includes a nine-inch objective made by
John Brashear, one of the great opticians
of his day. The observatory dome is believed
to be the original structure that sat atop
Teachout Library, dating to 1900.
Photo by James Guilford, September 2008.
Where are we?? (Google
Maps)
Observing
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Stephens
Memorial Observatory
Welcome
to the online home of the Stephens Memorial Observatory. The
observatory is a part of the Physics Department of Hiram College* in
Hiram, Ohio. The observatory's current mission is historic
preservation, astronomy education, and public outreach.

Public
nights at Stephens Memorial Observatory
The
observatory offers public and private group viewing nights. See
the schedule listing below.
A
printable version of the schedule is also posted. We usually have one
scheduled open night per month with a couple of different celestial
objects picked for observing each night. Other nights and non-scheduled
targets of opportunity will also be offered as circumstances arise! We
have, for example, opened for an unexpected cometary apparition (Comet
17P/Holmes in 2007). Check here regularly for announcements.
Public
nights are conducted in "open house" fashion and
attendance is free of
charge. Visitors may come and go during the course of the evening
though occasional special programming may require arrival at a specific
time.
Attendees
are asked to park on permitted side streets.
Nearby Peckham Avenue is posted "No Parking" -- you may be
ticketed! There is no parking at the Observatory. DO NOT drive into or
park in neighboring driveways: it's inconsiderate and violators may be
towed! Where are we??
NOTE: Due to the age of our
facilities, the Observatory is not handicap accessible nor do we have
restroom facilities.
Are You
a Lunatic?
Interested in the Moon and what you can see from Hiram's Observatory?
Click here and
check out our new {simplified} lunar map!
(You will need Adobe Reader installed to open this file.)
2013
Schedule - Coming Soon
This
schedule is available in Adobe Acrobat format for
viewing and printing!
2012
Schedule of Public Nights.
~ ~ ~
Season Opener: May 25, 9:00 - 11:00 PM
Hope for clear skies because planet Saturn is gracing
our night skies and showing off his rings in spectacular fashion!
We will also seek out the M13 star cluster in Hercules
- a big ball of diamond-like stars - if the rising Full Moon allows.
~ ~ ~
There
will be no viewing and the Observatory will not open in the event of
overcast skies or inclement weather conditions occurring at the
scheduled starting time. For updated status of Open Nights, please see
the Twitter feed in the left-hand column of this page or find us at:
www.twitter.com/StephensObs
PARKING: Please
park in the lot at Harrison’s Hideaway Convenience Store, 6821
Wakefield
Road, just a couple of hundred feet east of the Observatory, or on side
streets where parking is allowed. Nearby Peckham
Avenue is posted "No Parking" so don't park there! There is no parking
at the Observatory. DO NOT drive into or park in neighboring driveways
-- it’s inconsiderate and you may be towed!
This
site will be the place to check for schedule updates: changes,
cancellations, etc.
Recent
and not-so-recent history
The
primary instrument of the observatory is the Cooley
Telescope. It is a nine-inch Warner and Swasey refractor graced
with John
Brashear
Co. optics. Dedicated at Hiram College in 1901, it is a fine and unique
example of turn of the (20th) century astronomical telescope technology
being complete as manufactured. Our instrument contains and employs its
original optical and drive components
made by leading manufacturers of the time. Despite its age the Cooley's
optics are excellent and provide impressive views of solar system and
deep-sky wonders. Continued use of this instrument in astronomy is its
highest and best purpose.
Visit our Historical Gallery. Photos
dating back a century include views of the original Hiram observatory
and the man who donated our telescope to the school.
At Stephens restoration,
maintenance, and improvement are ongoing. The latest?
New dehumidifier in the Observatory office. Not glamorous but without
it the walls would become wet and mold and mildew would take over!
Fortunately the raised, ventilated floor beneath the telescope and a heater in the clock section protect
it from ground moisture!
Observatory
director/curator James Guilford
is responsible for operation of the observatory for student, private,
and public viewing sessions. Since spring, 2006, he has been working to
preserve and enhance the observatory and visitor experiences there.
Contact
via email:
Stephens Observatory
Reach us via email (above) or follow StephensObs
on Twitter for quick updates! Postal address is: Stephens Observatory;
Physics Department; 116 Gerstacker Hall; Hiram College; PO Box 67;
Hiram, OH 44234-0067. Physics Department Phone: (330) 569-5264 (not
answered at night).
| A
change of scenery?
Hiram
College would like to build a new astronomy facility
to allow for unobstructed views of the sky and support expanded
programming for students and the community. The Cooley telescope would
be moved there and modern instruments added. The College would welcome
a major donor for this project -- contact us if you can help! Until
then, Stephens Memorial Observatory is our home and we're delighted to
see it improving.
Want to help?
Financial gifts can be made to the Observatory by making a check
payable to “Hiram College” with a note in the memo line indicating
support for Observatory operations or programming. Operations will
cover maintenance and general expenses. Donations made towards
construction of a new astronomical facility will be gratefully
accepted; please mark any checks accordingly. Checks payable to Hiram
College (no cash, please) may be delivered to the astronomer in charge
at any of our public nights or mailed to us at:
Observatory
Donations
Attn: Development Office
Bancroft House
PO Box 67
Hiram, OH 44234-0067
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Most
recent update: 5/1/2013
*
This site is privately owned and, while it presents authoritative
observatory information,
it is not a publication of Hiram College.
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