The Cooley Telescope
The ca. 1900 Warner and Swasey telescope
includes a nine-inch objective made by
John Brashear, one of the great opticians
of his day. The observatory dome is believed
to be the original structure that sat atop
Teachout Library, dating to 1900.
Photo by James Guilford, September 2008.
Where are we??
(Google Maps)
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Stephens Memorial Observatory
Welcome to the online home of the Stephens Memorial Observatory. The observatory is a part of the Physics Department of Hiram College* in Hiram, Ohio. The observatory's current mission is historic preservation, astronomy education, and public outreach.
Want to visit? Check our schedule below for open observing nights!
Contact information.
Public nights at Stephens Memorial Observatory
The observatory offers public and private group viewing nights. See the schedule listing below. A printable version of the schedule is also posted. We usually have one scheduled open night per month with a couple of different celestial objects picked for observing each night. Other nights and non-scheduled targets of opportunity will also be offered as circumstances arise! We have, for example, opened for an unexpected cometary apparition (Comet 17P/Holmes in 2007). Check here regularly for announcements.
Public nights are conducted in "open house" fashion and attendance is free of charge. Visitors may come and go during the course of the evening though occasional special programming may require arrival at a specific time.
Attendees are asked to park on permitted side streets or in the lot at Harrison's Hideaway Gift Shoppe, 6821 Wakefield Road, just a couple of hundred feet east of the Observatory. Nearby Peckham Avenue is posted "No Parking" -- you may be ticketed! There is no parking at the Observatory. DO NOT drive into or park in neighboring driveways: it's inconsiderate and violators may be towed! Where are we??
Public Nights Listing, check back for changes!
This schedule is available in Adobe Acrobat format for viewing and printing!
Click here for the 2009 Schedule of Public Nights.
2009 Schedule
July 11: We will be resuming normal operation of the Observatory this month. We plan to offer views of the M4 star cluster, the brilliant red star at the "heart" of the constellation Scorpius, the M11 cluster, and possibly other wonders of the Milky Way Galaxy. Bright planets are morning objects this month and so not included in our programming. {sigh!}
From your own back yard in June & July -- See brilliant Venus with dim red Mars nearby, and bright Jupiter low in the southern pre-dawn sky. A great show for early-risers!
Note: There will be no viewing and the Observatory will not open in the event of overcast skies or inclement weather conditions occurring at the scheduled starting time.
This site will be the place to check for schedule updates: changes, cancellations, etc.
Recent and not-so-recent history
The primary instrument of the observatory is the Cooley Telescope. It is a nine-inch Warner and Swasey refractor graced with John Brashear Co. optics. Dedicated at Hiram College in 1901, it is a fine and unique example of turn of the (20th) century astronomical telescope technology being complete as manufactured. Our instrument contains and employs its original optical and drive components made by leading manufacturers of the time. Despite its age the Cooley's optics are excellent and provide impressive views of solar system and deep-sky wonders. Continued use of this instrument in astronomy is its highest and best purpose.
Visit our Historical Gallery. Photos dating back a century include views of the original Hiram observatory and the man who donated our telescope to the school.
At Stephens restoration, maintenance, and improvement are ongoing. The latest? Restoration of the Observatory's memorial dedication plaque has been completed.
Observatory director/curator James Guilford is responsible for operation of the observatory for student, private, and public viewing sessions. Since spring, 2006, he has been working to preserve and enhance the observatory and visitor experiences there.
Contact via email:
Stephens Observatory
The Observatory's telephone number is: (330) 569-5412. We rarely check voicemail; the phone is used primarily for event announcements. Emailing will be far better for reaching us!
| A change of scenery?
Hiram College would like to build a new astronomy facility to allow for unobstructed views of the sky and support expanded programming for students and the community. The Cooley telescope would be moved there and modern instruments added. The College would welcome a major donor for this project -- contact us if you can help! Until then, Stephens Memorial Observatory is our home and we're delighted to see it improving. |
Most recent update:
* This site is privately owned and, while it presents authoritative observatory information,
it is not a publication of Hiram College.