Ford Observatory (Ithaca) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ford Observatory |
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| Organization | Ithaca College | ||||
| Location | Ithaca, New York (United States) | ||||
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Coordinates
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42°25′3.12″N 76°29′38.67″W / 42.4175333°N 76.4940750°W
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| Altitude | 348 m | ||||
| Established | 1998 | ||||
| Website Observatory Web Page |
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The Clinton B. Ford Observatory is a special place where people study the stars and planets. It is run by the physics department at Ithaca College. This observatory is located in a quiet forest area on the college campus in Ithaca, New York, in the United States.
It was built in 1998. The money for building it came from the National Science Foundation and a gift from a person named Clinton B. Ford. Inside the observatory, there is a powerful telescope. It is called a CCT-16 16-inch (0.4 meter) f/8 Cassegrain telescope. This telescope helps scientists and students explore the night sky.
Contents
What is an Observatory?
An observatory is a building or place used for observing events on Earth or in space. Astronomical observatories, like the Ford Observatory, are designed to look at objects far away in the universe. They usually have large telescopes. These telescopes collect light from stars, planets, and galaxies.
Why are Observatories Important?
Observatories help us learn more about space. Scientists use them to study how stars are born and how galaxies change. Students also use observatories to learn about astronomy. It's a great way to see the universe up close.
The Telescope at Ford Observatory
The main telescope at the Ford Observatory is a Cassegrain reflector. This type of telescope uses mirrors to gather light. It has a large main mirror and a smaller secondary mirror. This design makes the telescope quite compact.
How a Cassegrain Telescope Works
Light from space enters the telescope. It first hits a large, curved mirror at the back. This mirror is called the primary mirror. It reflects the light to a smaller, secondary mirror. The secondary mirror then sends the light through a hole in the primary mirror. This light goes to an eyepiece or a camera. This design helps create clear and magnified images of distant objects.
Nearby Observatories to Explore
The Ford Observatory is not the only place to look at the stars in New York. There are other observatories nearby. These places also help people learn about space.
- Fuertes Observatory, at Cornell University, also in Ithaca, New York.
- Hartung-Boothroyd Observatory, another one at Cornell University, in Ithaca, New York.
- Kopernik Space Education Center, located in Vestal, New York.
