|
Goodsell Observtory at Carleton College Open House
Friday Nov. 7th at 7:00pm
Join us on Friday November 7th at 7:00pm at Goodsell Observatory on the campus of Carleton College in Northfield, MN. The observatory is 47 miles from Minneapolis.
Goodsell Observatory hosts open houses the 1st Friday of every month (outside of summer). The MAS has attended a few of these open houses over the past few years, and our members have really enjoyed these events. This one is scheduled to run from 7:00-9:00pm and is weather-permitting.
The observatory opened in 1886, and its main dome houses a 16.2″ Brashear refractor (circa early-1890s). The smaller dome houses an 8.25″ Alvan Clark refractor from the same era. It’s amazing to see such vintage telescopes still in use, and in such good condition.
Starting in the 1870s, Goodsell Observatory was one of the most important observatories in the country, since it kept the official time for the major railroads from Chicago to Seattle, covering some 12,000 miles of track. It also published an important astronomical publication, produced some of the best early celestial photographs and was home to one of the nation’s first state weather services. Herbert Couper Wilson was a Carleton alumnus who in 1911 help found the AAVSO (American Association of Variable Star Observers)… one of the most important American amateur astronomical groups of the 20th Century and beyond.
Goodsell Observatory address: 139 Olin Dr, Northfield, MN 55057
Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/SGpSrxjt99WorBLD9
Goodsell Observatory Website: https://www.carleton.edu/goodsell/
You can read about the history of Goodsell Observatory here: https://www.carleton.edu/goodsell/history/story-of-goodsell/
Respond to the post on the MAS Forum re: this event (see this link: https://forum.mnastro.org/viewtopic.php?p=74074#p74074
Plan to meet outside of Goodsell Observatory around 6:45pm on November 7th. |
