The Observatory’s origins were as a teaching facility. Although it status as a National Historic Landmark grew out of its use for pioneering research and instrument development, the Observatory continues into the 21st Century as a teaching facility. The instruments, furniture and other historic fabric of the Observatory has over the years has never been fully inventoried as a historic collection. The Department of Astronomy moved from the Observatory in 1979 and then again in 1994 to a new building. With each move some of the equipment and historic fabric was dispersed. Recognizing the value for instruction as well its’ historical significance, this inventory is the first step in locating, assessing, organizing, and ultimately preserving the Observatory’s collection. The inventory is needed to help protect the collection from unintentional loss, damage, or neglect, ensure its preservation, and plan for its instructional use.
Featured Item
Postcard "Observatory"
Looking south toward the north entrance of the Observatory. The transit telescope is visible in the window of the western most transit room. This…
Featured Collection
Sextants and accessories
The "old astronomy" was dominated by the precise measurement of the positions of the stars and the determination of time. At Illinois, astronomy was…
Featured Exhibit
Birth of Photoelectric Photometry
The University of Illinois Observatory is historically significant for the development of selenium and photoelectric cell photometry that...
Recently Added Items
Selenium cell
Wooden box measuring 10 cm x 8 cm x2.5 cm, flips open to expose selenium cell. Cell measures 3.0 cm by 5.0 cm. Stebbins described the Giltay selenium…
2-day Marine Chronometer
Mahogany wood, brass, silver, glass
Chronometer of 56-hour duration is set in gimbals in a mahogany box. Serial number #2805. John Bliss and…
Kunz Photoelectric cells
The photocell is hand blown glass or quartz. Within in the cell is an alkali metal (lithium, sodium, or potassium) that covers the inside and is a…
Replica Medals awarded to Dr. Joel Stebbins
The original medals were donated by Robert Stebbins, grandson of Joel Stebbins, to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Replicas were produced in 2015…