Morgan–Monroe Observatory

The Morgan–Monroe Observatory, also known as the Morgan–Monroe Station of Goethe Link Observatory, is an astronomical observatory owned and operated by Indiana University. It is located in Indiana's Morgan–Monroe State Forest approximately 20 kilometers (12 mi) northeast of Bloomington, Indiana (USA). It was developed in the 1960s when light pollution began to degrade the capabilities of the original Goethe Link Observatory, which Indiana University had used for astronomical research since 1948.[1] The original Boller and Chivens 41 cm (16 in) Cassegrain reflector, installed in 1966, was converted in 1989 to an automated system for monitoring cataclysmic variable stars called "Roboscope."[2][3] It is capable of making one or two 4-minute exposures of about 100 objects per clear night.[4] In 1997, an automated 1.25 m f/8 Ritchey–Chrétien reflector called "Spectrabot" was added.[5]

Morgan–Monroe Observatory
OrganizationIndiana University
LocationMorgan–Monroe State Forest, Indiana
Coordinates39°18′49″N 86°26′04″W
Altitude245 meters (804 ft)
Established1966 (1966)
WebsiteMorgan–Monroe Observatory
Telescopes
Roboscope0.41 m Cassegrain
Spectrabot1.25 m Ritchey–Chrétien
Morgan–Monroe Observatory is located in the United States
Morgan–Monroe Observatory
Location of Morgan–Monroe Observatory
External images
image icon http://www.astro.indiana.edu/images/mms.jpg Morgan–Monroe Observatory Source: Indiana University Department of Astronomy.
image icon http://www.polyweb.com/danno/roboscope/RoboScope_files/roboscope.jpg Roboscope. Source: PolyWeb Services.
image icon http://www.indiana.edu/~rcapub/v21n2/honey.gif Indiana University astronomy professor R. Kent Honeycutt and Spectrabot. Source: Indiana University, Research & Creative Activity, April 1998, Volume XXI, Number 2.

See also

Notes and references
  1. "Morgan–Monroe Observatory". Indiana University Department of Astronomy. Retrieved 2012-02-03.
  2. "Further Reports of Observatories: Goethe Link". Astronomical Journal. 73: 48. 1968. Bibcode:1968AJS....73...48.
  3. Durison, R. H. (1990). "Indiana University, Astronomy Department and Goethe Link Observatory, Bloomington, Indiana 47405. Report for the period Sep 1988 – Aug 1989". Bulletin of the Astronomical Society. 22 (1): 279. Bibcode:1990BAAS...22..279D.
  4. "Roboscope". Polyweb Services. Retrieved 2012-02-03.
  5. Durisen, R. H.; Chamberlin, C. N. (1999). "Indiana University, Department of Astronomy, Bloomington, Indiana 47405. Report for the period Sep 1997 – Aug 1998". Bulletin of the Astronomical Society. 31 (1): 124. Bibcode:1999BAAS...31..124D.
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