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 Fall 2012 semester on the following evenings:
- Thursday, September 20 - 8:15 pm, Weather permitting we will have public viewing through Strawbridge telescopes, plus modest crafts for the enjoyment of the youngest guests in attendance
- Thursday, October 4 - 8:30 pm, Independent of weather, we are hosting two free portable planetarium shows in Ryan Gym (7:40 pm and 8:30 pm) by RSVP only. Weather permitting, we will also have public viewing through Strawbridge telescopes from 8:30 pm - 9:45 pm.
- Thursday, October 25 - 7 - 9 pm, Free screening of the documentary Saving Hubble followed by a discussion with the director, David Gaynes. Location: Stokes Auditorium. Weather permitting, this will be followed by public viewing through Strawbridge telescopes.
- Thursday, November 29 - Brief talk at 7:30 pm by Mimi Fuchs (class of 2013) "Exploring our Universe: A Scaled Tour Through our Solar System, Galaxy, and Beyond". This talk is not specifically geared towards children, but will be appropriate for ages ten and up. Weather permitting, observing will take place at 8 pm. Modest crafts for kids will be available.
- Thursday, December 13 - details TBD.
Please see this space for more details on events as the time approaches. Contact Beth Willman (bwillman@haverford.edu) or Mariah Baker (mmbaker@haverford.edu) for more information.
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
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). After 5 pm, parking is open on campus.
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)
