The University of Montana's Blue Mountain Observatory - Astronomical Observatories on Waymarking.com

The University of Montana's Department of Physics and Astronomy runs the state of Montana's only professional astronomical observatory. The Observatory, located on Blue Mountain, houses a 16 inch Boller and Chivens Cassegrain reflector in an Ash dome. The Observatory sits just below the summit ridge, at an elevation of approximately 6300 feet. The instrumentation includes an Op-Tec SSP-5A photoelectric photometer and an SBIG ST-9E CCD camera. The UM has the only undergraduate astronomy major in the state (technically a physics major with an astronomy option), so their Observatory is an important component of their students' education. Students have recently carried out observing projects on the photometry of variable stars and color photometry of open clusters and OB associations. The Observatory is also used for public open houses during the summer months, and these have become very popular: at times the observatory has had 300 visitors in a single night.

Observatory Purpose: Private Optical / Infrared Telescopes?: Yes Radio Telescopes?: No Open to the Public?: Yes Public Viewing Allowed?: Yes Active Observatory?: Active Number of Telescopes or Antennas: 1 Site URL: [Web Link] Year Dedicated or Opened: 1970 Altitude (meters): 1920 Solar Telescopes?: Not listed Is this a Club Observatory?: 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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