Stull Observatory - Alfred University - Astronomical Observatories on Waymarking.com

Stull Observatory is an astronomical observatory owned and operated by Alfred University. Named after Dr. John Stull, who helped establish the observatory in 1966, it is located in Alfred, New York (USA). It is notable for housing 8 independently housed telescopes ranging in size from 8 to 32 inches. The largest, the The Austin-Fellows 32 inch Newtonian Reflector is the second largest optical telescope in New York state after the 40 inch telescope at SUNY Oneonta College Observatory. Telescopes at the observatory are regularly opened to the public. The observatory is also used for those pursueing a minor in astronomy or a concentration in astrophysics. The history of the Stull Observatory goes back to 1863, when the astronomer William A. Rogers ordered and donated a 9 inch refractor with the American optician Henry Fitz. Sometime in the 1920s, with astronomy having been neglected at the University, the observatory was torn down and the telescope mothballed. It was very nearly lost and destroyed during this period, but in the late 1950s its existence was made known to John Stull, a ceramic engineering Ph.D. who was teaching physics. Over the next several years the telescope was used at several locations on campus. Finally, in 1966 Dr. Stull and the University established an observatory for the telescope.

What is now called the Stull Observatory began with the construction of two domes, one for the 9 inch Fitz telescope and the other for a 16 inch newtonian reflector. The Fitz was rebuilt in 1970, with a metal tube replacing the badly damaged wooden one. (The original tube is currently being restored by James Gort.) In 1971 the 16 inch newtonian was replace with the current 20 inch "Metzger" newtonian.

In the interim, a heated classroom building was constructed (1968) and a 16 inch Ealing "Educator" cassegrain (the "Grindle") had been purchased (1969), and ultimately modified. 1976 saw the addition of the 14 inch newtonian (the "Olson") telescope, while the "Rose" heliostat was added in 1978.

In 1992 the 32 inch newtonian ("Austin-Fellows") telescope was completed. In 1996, due to funding from the National Science Foundation, a computerized telescope control system was installed.

Since 1992 the Observatory has purchased two, commercial 8 inch Schmidt-cassegrain telescopes as well as significant amounts of electronic support equipment.

The dates and facts outlined above do very little to address the enormous personal effort that the Stull Observatory represents. Every major telescope currently in use at our observatory was either built or substantially rebuilt by John Stull. It was fitting, therefore, that in 1993 the observatory was formally named for Prof. Stull.

Telescopes on site (visit link)

Observatory Purpose: Research Optical / Infrared Telescopes?: Yes Radio Telescopes?: Yes Open to the Public?: Yes Public Viewing Allowed?: Yes Active Observatory?: Active Number of Telescopes or Antennas: 6 to 10 Site URL: [Web Link] Year Dedicated or Opened: 1993 Solar Telescopes?: Not listed Is this a Club Observatory?: Not listed Altitude (meters): Not Listed

Visit Instructions:
Note the time of day of your visit, and your own photo of your favorite part of the observatory. This might be the view from the observatory, picture of your favorite building or favorite exhibit. (Be mindful of flash photography rules!)

If you participated in an observing session, let everyone know what you saw!

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