Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium
| Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium | |
|---|---|
 Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium | |
| General information | |
| Status | Open |
| Type | Observatory |
| Address | 4600 Sunset Avenue |
| Town or city | Indianapolis, IN |
| Country |
 United States of America |
| Groundbreaking | 1953 |
| Completed | October, 1954 |
| Opened | November 5, 1954 |
| Cost | $325,000 |
| Owner | Butler University |
| Height | 50ft |
| Website | |
Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium is a part of Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. A small observatory was built on the Butler campus on the east side of Indianapolis. The campus moved to the north side of Indianapolis in 1928 and the old observatory was torn down.
The telescope was reconditioned in the 1930s and remounted on the new campus, but sat unused until 1945.
In 1953, benefactor James Irving Holcomb and his wife gave $325,000 for the construction of an observatory. In October 1954, a 38-inch (970 mm) reflecting telescope was installed by J. W. Fecker, Inc. The observatory was built on a hill on the north end of the Butler University campus.
Planetarium equipment includes a Spitz A3P projector installed in 1981.
The telescope was refurbished over 7 years beginning in 1995 by AB Engineering of Fort Wayne, Indiana at a cost of approximately $100,000.
See also
References
External links
- Indianapolis Clear Sky Clock Forecasts of observing conditions covering Holcomb Observatory.
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39°50′29″N 86°10′17″W / 39.84139°N 86.17139°WCoordinates: 39°50′29″N 86°10′17″W / 39.84139°N 86.17139°W