Sommers–Bausch Observatory

Sommers–Bausch Observatory is an astronomical observatory located on and owned by University of Colorado Boulder. The building was initially completed in 1953 and named after Elmer E. Sommers and Carl L. Bausch.

Sommers–Bausch Observatory
OrganizationUniversity of Colorado Boulder
Observatory code 463 
LocationBoulder, Colorado
Coordinates40°00′13.4″N 105°15′45.0″W
Altitude1653 meters
Websitesbo.colorado.edu
Telescopes
Unnamed Telescope24" Boller and Chivens
Artemis20" Planewave CDK
Apollo20" Planewave CDK
Location of Sommers–Bausch Observatory

It is operated by the university's Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences (APS), which primarily utilizes the facilities and equipment of the observatory for teaching as well as some research. Telescopes include two 20" Planewave CDK telescopes on Software Bisque Taurus 500 encoder mounts, a 24" Boller and Chivens Cassegrain reflectors, and a 10-inch aperture heliostat (solar telescope). The observatory also possesses multiple smaller telescopes and ancillary equipment.[1] The observatory also houses the lab classroom and the computer lab for the APS department.


The observatory hosts free public open houses on Friday nights during the academic semester, hosted by students and faculty.[2]

History

In 1949 the University of Colorado received a bequest of $49,054 from the estate of Mayme Sommers in memory of her husband Elmer E. Sommers. These funds were used to construct the observatory, which was built in an adapted rural Italian style to match buildings on the campus. The building was dedicated on August 27, 1953, during the 89th meeting of the American Astronomical Society.


In the early 1980s an addition was built to provide space for additional telescopes as well as two classrooms.

See also

References
  1. "SBO Telescopes & Equipment - Sommers-Bausch Observatory - CU". lyra.colorado.edu. 2009. Archived from the original on January 2, 2005. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  2. "SBO Open House - Sommers-Bausch Observatory - CU". lrya.colorado.edu. 2014. Retrieved December 25, 2014.


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