Chamberlin Observatory: See a Shining Star of the Neighborhood and the Shining Stars

​How fortunate are we to live in an urban community that has a world class historical telescope, housed in an architecturally beautiful and historic building, available to the public on a regular basis?
 
Visit and answer for yourself…
 
What’s the history?
Construction on the Romanesque style Chamberlin Observatory, located at 2930 East Warren Avenue, in Observatory Park, Denver, began in 1890 after a generous donation by Humphrey Barker Chamberlin, a real estate businessman, in 1888. Chamberlin was one of Denver’s wealthiest citizens and believed in sharing his wealth and giving back to his community.
 
Robert S. Roeschlaub designed the building itself and the astronomical functions were designed by Herbert Alonzo Howe, who was the very first professor of astronomy at the University of Denver and first director of the Observatory.
 
The refracting telescope has a 20-inch aperture lens that was made by Alvan Clark and Sons of Massachusetts who were world renowned lens makers. The telescope is very large, at 28 feet long. The telescope became operational in 1894.
 
The Observatory is currently owned and operated by the University of Denver and is considered priceless.
 
Did you know these fun facts about Chamberlin Observatory?

• The refracting 28-foot telescope is among the largest in the world with moving parts, and weighs several tons.
• The iron dome on top of the Observatory weighs 12 tons.
• The building is constructed from rusticated red sandstone blocks.
• The Observatory was modeled after the Goodsell Observatory at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota.
• Herbert Howe had the mini observatory, located next door, built for beginning astronomy students which included a smaller telescope for their studies until they graduated to using the larger telescope. The smaller telescope is now housed inside of the larger building and is used as a finder telescope.
• The telescope was exhibited at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893 prior to arriving in Denver.
• The telescope arrived by train in Denver with Herbert Howe accompanying it. An entire Pullman train berth was rented just for the lens.
• Chamberlin Observatory is one of the few remaining observatories in the United States that allows public access.
• The Observatory is one of the earliest buildings built in University Park.
• It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and designated a Historic Landmark in 1994.
• The University of Denver renovated the Observatory inside and out in 2008 with the support of a Historic Colorado grant, the Observatory Park community, and the Denver Astronomical Society.
• Public Nights are a tradition that began over 120 years ago on August 1, 1894.
• The Denver Astronomical Society has hosted Public Nights for over 60 years.

Visiting Chamberlin Observatory
On April 12, 2016, we visited the Chamberlin Observatory for one of the public nights. Even though the night started off cloudy and rainy, we were lucky enough to have the skies clear enough to be able to view Jupiter and its red spot.
 
Here’s some more information about how you can visit.
 
The Observatory, through the Denver Astronomical Society (DAS), offers both public nights and open house nights throughout the year.
Events are appropriate for the cosmically-curious non-astronomer (or burgeoning astronomer) and are family-friendly.
 
Public Nights:
Each public night event begins with a 45-minute educational presentation by a DAS lecturer. Afterwards, and weather permitting, guests are invited to tour the Observatory and view the moon, stars, planets, galaxies, and other celestial wonders through the 28-foot long, 20-inch aperture Alvan Clark-Saegmuller refracting telescope. If the weather is not good for viewing guests can still tour the building itself.
 
When: Each Tuesday and Thursday beginning at 8:30pm.
How: Make reservations online in advance (nights do sell out)
Costs: $4.00 for adults/ $3.00 for children (via PayPal online). http://www.denverastro.org/das/chamberlin-observatory/
Note: Children need to be at least 41” tall to be able to use the ladder to view.
 
Open House Nights:
Open House nights are for those who are interested in learning more about telescopes, cosmically curious children, parents, or teachers, or someone who is interested in learning something new.
 
Denver Astronomical Society members are available to share information and views from personal telescopes on the Observatory ground, and to answer questions about astronomy or telescopes. Members can also help guests learn how to operate a personal telescope.
 
When: Saturday of each month nearest the first quarter moon at dusk (varies by season- Winter, around 5:30 or 6pm, Spring and Fall, around 6:30 or 7:30pm, Summer, around 8 or 9pm) until 10pm. The remaining schedule for 2016 is as follows: June 11, July 9, August 13, September 10, October 8, November 5, and December 3.
How: Make reservations online in advance (nights do sell out)
Costs: $3.00 per person/ $5.00 per family (via PayPal online) to view through the Observatory telescope. There is no charge for only viewing through DAS member telescopes. http://www.denverastro.org/das/chamberlin-observatory/
Note: Children need to be at least 41” tall to be able to use the ladder to view.
 
Contact Information:
2930 East Warren Avenue
Denver, Colorado 80210
Information line: 303-871-5172
Website for information about public and open house nights and observation conditions: http://www.denverastro.org/das/chamberlin-observatory/
 
Thank you to the websites of the University Park Community Council, Denver Astronomical Society, University of Denver, and Rosemary Stoffel for information relating to this article.

This article was written by Kristin Kleimann and will be appearing in the June 2016 issue of "Life in the Park" magazine.
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