Strawbridge Observatory
Strawbridge Observatory March 18, 2011 (Photo by Jonathan Yu '12)
The Strawbridge Observatory at Haverford College houses 12-inch and 16-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes which are actively used by students in Haverford astronomy classes. The telescopes are also periodically made available for public use with teaching assistants and/or professors present to provide assistance and background information about what is being viewed. Note that the telescopes are only used when it is clear, and the domes are not opened when it is cloudy.
The contact phone number for the college is (610) 896-1000. If the weather is in doubt, please call to confirm that the observatory is open and that someone is there.
Public Observing
The observatory will be open for public observing during the Spring 2012 semester on the following nights:
- Tues, 2/14, 7-8:30. Public Observing Family Night, for astronomers of all ages. Talk: "The Orion Nebula: Where stars are born".
- Tues 3/1, 8:30-10 Public Observing ages 12+.
- Tues 3/13, 8-9:30. Public Observing Family Night, for astronomers of all ages.
- Tues 3/27, 8-10 Public Observing ages 12+.
- Tues 4/10, 8-9:30. Public Observing Family Night, for astronomers of all ages.
- Tues 4/24, 8:30-10 Public Observing ages 12+.
A short, student presentation about a current astronomical topic will be given independent of weather. Observing will only take place if skies are clear.
A reminder will also be printed in the Founders Bell and will be posted on go.haverford.edu before each public observing session.
Past Events
Make sure to check out previous events held at Strawbridge observatory.
Directions to the Observatory
The Strawbridge Observatory is located on the College's Walton Road, just off College Avenue between Haverford Road and Lancaster Ave.
Going West on Lancaster Ave. (Rt. 30):- Turn left onto Haverford Station Road (just past Haverford College's main entrance).
- Bear right at fork; the street becomes Railroad Ave.
- You will drive by the parking area of The Haverford School on the right and Haverford College property on the left.
- At next fork, bear left; the street becomes College Avenue.
- Immediately look for a small Haverford College sign on the left at Walton Road.
- Turn left onto campus at Walton Road. A short distance later, you will see observatory on your right (just before the athletic playing fields.)
- Follow signs for visitors parking (at the end of Walton Road)
Images from Strawbridge Observatory
- Red Mars! (color photo with 12-inch, 9/2003)
- Star Trails Above Dome (color photo, 9/2003)
- Observatory with Crescent Moon (color photo, 9/2003)
- Dome with Crescent Moon #1 (color photo, 9/2003)
- Dome with Crescent Moon #2 (color photo, 9/2003)
- Moon Closeup (B-band CCD image with 16-inch, 0.12 sec exposure, 10/2003)
