Dark Sky Observatory

The Dark Sky Observatory (DSO) is an astronomical observatory owned and operated by Appalachian State University (ASU). It is located 9 kilometers (5.6 mi) east of Deep Gap, North Carolina (USA), off of the Blue Ridge Parkway, and 32 kilometers (20 mi) east of the ASU campus in Boone, North Carolina It was established in 1981, and is used for research, instruction, and public viewing events.[1] The Cline Visitors' Center was completed in 2011.[2]

Dark Sky Observatory
OrganizationAppalachian State University
LocationNorth Carolina
Coordinates36.2514°N 81.4121°W / 36.2514; -81.4121
Altitude932 meters (3,058 ft)
Established1981 (1981)
WebsiteDark Sky Observatory
Telescopes
32-inch Telescope0.82 m reflector
18-inch Telescope0.45 m reflector
Dean Glace Telescope0.43 m reflector
14-inch Telescope0.35 m reflector
Location of Dark Sky Observatory
Related media on Wikimedia Commons

Telescopes

Former telescopes

  • A 16 in (0.41 m) reflecting telescope built by DFM Engineering was originally located at the Rankin Science Center on the ASU campus in Boone. It was moved to DSO in 2003 while the building was being refurbished.[7] It was installed in the Rankin Science Observatory (RSO) on the roof of the building in 2005, where it is used for undergraduate instruction.[8]
  • A 16 in (0.41 m) Newtonian telescope was donated to ASU in 1982, and was permanently mounted in its own dome in 1985. It was unused for several years before being removed in 2003.[1][9]

See also

References

  1. "Observatory Reports: Appalachian State University". Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society. 18: 3. 1986. Bibcode:1986BAAS...18....3.
  2. "Dark Sky Observatory at Appalachian State University". Appalachian State University Department of Physics and Astronomy. Retrieved 2012-01-11.
  3. "Dark Sky Observatory 32-inch Telescope". Appalachian State University Department of Physics and Astronomy. Retrieved 2013-06-13.
  4. "Dark Sky Observatory 18-inch Telescope". Appalachian State University Department of Physics and Astronomy. Retrieved 2013-06-13.
  5. "Dark Sky Observatory Automatic Telescope". Appalachian State University Department of Physics and Astronomy. Retrieved 2013-06-13.
  6. "Dark Sky Observatory 14-inch Telescope". Appalachian State University Department of Physics and Astronomy. Retrieved 2013-06-13.
  7. "Dark Sky Observatory 16-inch telescope". Appalachian State University Department of Physics and Astronomy. Retrieved 2012-01-30.
  8. "Rankin Science Observatory (RSO) at Appalachian State University". Appalachian State University Department of Physics and Astronomy. Retrieved 2012-01-30.
  9. "Dark Sky Observatory 16-inch Newtonian". Appalachian State University Department of Physics and Astronomy. Archived from the original on 2003-03-14. Retrieved 2012-01-30.


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