Washburn Observatory
Washburn Observatory, completed in 1881, was a major research facility for about 50 years. Now, it is used primarily by the public duringopen houses and by students in the Introductory Astronomy courses. The Observatory houses a 15-inch refractor with a magnification of about 500. It is located at 1401 Observatory Drive on the campus of the University of Wisconsin at Madison.
The observatory is open to the public on the first and third Wednesday of every month. During the summer months, the observatory will be open every Wednesday. The Open House sessions are hosted by volunteer astronomers. The public viewing sessions are informal, so there is no lecture or tour. The dome is open to the outside air to let the telescope look out, so dress appropriately.
The observatory will be open on the days described below if the sky is 75% free of clouds. The public is asked to use their own judgement on sky conditions as they are subject to last minute changes with Wisconsin's unpredictable weather! Parking is on the street and the entrance is in the back of the building.
Open House Hours
The host will decide when to close the observatory based on weather and interest. January to March 7:30-9:30 PM 1st and 3rd Wednesdays
April and May 9:00-11:00 PM 1st and 3rd Wednesdays
June to August 9:00-11:00 PM Every Wednesday
September and October 9:00-11:00 PM 1st and 3rd Wednesdays
November and December 7:30-9:30 PM 1st and 3rd Wednesdays
Not Open On These Major Holidays: Jul 4, Dec 25, Dec 31
* Unfortunately, Washburn is an old building, so it is not wheelchair accessible
* There are no public restrooms in the observatory
* Food and drinks are not allowed in the observatory
* Photographs are only allowed when the lights are on (to preserve everyone's night vision!)
WEBSITE:
http://www.astro.wisc.edu/Washburn/
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