Goethe Link Observatory

The Goethe Link Observatory, observatory code 760, is an astronomical observatory near Brooklyn, Indiana, United States.[1][2] It is owned by Indiana University and operated by the Indiana Astronomical Society, which efforts are dedicated to the pursuit of amateur astronomy.[3]

Goethe Link Observatory
OrganizationIndiana University
(Indiana Astronomical Society)
Observatory code 760 
LocationIndiana
Coordinates39°33′00″N 86°23′42″W
Altitude293 metres (962 ft)
WeatherClear Sky Clock
Established1939
Websitewww.astro.indiana.edu/goethelink.shtml
Telescopes
Nasmyth–Cassegrain0.91 m (36-inch)
f/10.0
Astrograph Decommissioned255 mm (10-inch)
f/6.5 Cooke triplet
Schmidt-Cassegrain355.6 mm (14-inch)
f/11.0 Celestron SCT
Location of Goethe Link Observatory

It is named in honor of amateur astronomer Dr. Goethe Link, an Indianapolis surgeon, who built it with his private funds. Construction of the observatory started in 1937, and the telescope was first operated in 1939. In 1948, he donated the observatory to Indiana University.[1][2]

From 1949 until 1966, the Indiana Asteroid Program was conducted at Goethe Link, using a 10-inch Cooke triplet astrograph (f/6.5).[4] The program resulted in the discovery of 119 asteroids, which were credited by the Minor Planet Center to "Indiana University".[5]

When light pollution began to degrade the Goethe Link Observatory's capabilities in the 1960s, Indiana University built a new facility in the Morgan–Monroe State Forest officially designated as the Morgan–Monroe Station (MMS) of the Goethe Link Observatories.[6][7] Today, Indiana University primarily uses the WIYN 3.5M and 0.9M telescopes located at the Kitt Peak National Observatory near Tucson, AZ for ongoing research.[8]

The naming of the two main-belt asteroids, 1602 Indiana and 1728 Goethe Link – both discovered at Goethe Link Observatory in 1950 and 1964, respectively – is related to the Observatory and its parent institution.[9][10]

References
  1. "Homepage of the Indiana Astronomical Society". Indiana Astronomical Society. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
  2. Gehrels, Thomas (February 1958). "The Indiana asteroid program". Astronomical Journal. 63: 50. Bibcode:1958AJ.....63...50G. doi:10.1086/107684. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
  3. "IU Asteroid Program "records" final chapter". Indiana University – News Room. 7 April 2008. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
  4. "Department of astronomy – Morgan–Monroe Observatory". Indiana University Bloomington. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
  5. "Department of astronomy – Research Facilities". Indiana University Bloomington. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
  6. "Indiana Astronomical Society". iasindy.org. Retrieved 2019-08-26.
  7. Schmadel, Lutz D. (2007). "(1602) Indiana". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (1602) Indiana. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 127. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-29925-7_1603. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3.

Further reading

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