Mount Stony Brook Observatory facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Stony Brook Observatory |
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| Organization | Stony Brook University | ||||
| Location | Stony Brook, New York (USA) | ||||
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Coordinates
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40°54′53″N 73°07′32″W / 40.91476°N 73.12568°W
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The Mount Stony Brook Observatory is a special place where people study the stars and planets. It is run by Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, New York. You can find it on the roof of the Earth and Space Sciences Building.
This observatory has a powerful telescope inside a big dome. It helps students and the public learn more about space.
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What is the Mount Stony Brook Observatory?
The Mount Stony Brook Observatory is like a science lab for looking at the sky. It helps scientists and students explore distant objects. They use special equipment to see things far away. This includes stars, planets, and even galaxies.
Exploring the Universe with Telescopes
The main tool at the observatory is a large telescope. It helps gather light from space. This light lets us see things that are too faint for our eyes. The telescope also has special cameras. These cameras can take pictures of space. They are used to watch stars that change brightness. These are called variable stars.
What Kind of Telescope Is It?
The observatory has a Meade 14-inch telescope. This is a type of telescope called a Maksutov–Cassegrain. It uses both mirrors and lenses to make distant objects look closer. The "14-inch" part tells you how big its main mirror is. A bigger mirror can collect more light. This means it can see fainter things.
Who Uses the Observatory?
Many different people use the Mount Stony Brook Observatory. University students use it for their astronomy classes. Both undergraduate and graduate students learn how to use the telescope. They do hands-on experiments there. The university's Astronomy Club also uses the observatory. Club members can learn about stargazing. They can also practice using the telescope.
Visiting the Observatory: Astronomy Open Nights
The observatory is not just for students. The university hosts "Astronomy Open Nights" for everyone. These events happen on the first Friday of every month. They are held during the school year. First, there is a talk about space. After the talk, if the weather is clear, visitors can look through the telescope. It's a great chance to see planets or the Moon up close!
History of the Observatory
The Mount Stony Brook Observatory was built a long time ago. It was finished in 1968. The "Astronomy Open Nights" started a few years later, in 1976. The telescope that is there now was put in place in 1981. It has been helping people explore space ever since.
