UT Dallas Magazine

Gazing at the Former Campus Observatory

Editors’ Note: This feature appears as it was published in the spring 2018 edition of UT Dallas Magazine. Titles or faculty members listed may have changed since that time.
Campus observatory
 

In 1979, a two-story, 900-square foot domed astronomical observatory was constructed on the northwest side of campus.

Housed inside were a 16-inch diameter Newtonian reflector telescope and a 5-inch guide telescope.

The observatory, established by Dr. David Klumpar and Dr. Brian Tinsley, was used for educational purposes and public stargazing events until the mid-80s.

Sky brightness from growth in the North Texas area diluted the quality of the observations, leading to the closing of the facility.

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