U.S. MUSEUMS GUIDE

Science & Technology Museum & Planetarium

Bradley Observatory

Bradley Observatory is a science & technology museum & planetarium in Decatur, Georgia. It is one of the U.S. museums catalogued by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Decatur, GeorgiaScience & Technology Museum & PlanetariumOfficial website
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Bradley Observatory

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About this museum

What is Bradley Observatory?

The Bradley Observatory is an astronomical observatory owned and operated by Agnes Scott College. It is located in Decatur, Georgia, 5 miles (8.0 km) east of Atlanta, Georgia, (USA). The observatory's largest telescope, the Beck Telescope, is a vintage 30 inch (750 mm) Cassegrain reflector built in 1930. The mount was built by Warner & Swasey, and the optics were built by Fecker. The telescope was originally owned and operated by an amateur astronomer, Mr. Henry Gibson. He offered the telescope for sale in Popular Astronomy magazine in 1947, seeking to upgrade his own telescope. Agnes Scott purchased it in 1947 for about $15,000 after an offer from the Soviet Union was declined for reasons related to the Cold War. For many years, the Beck telescope was the largest in the Southeast United States, only superseded when the Fernbank Observatory opened in 1972 with its 36-inch (910 mm) telescope.

Source: Wikipedia, text available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

The record

Museum details

Name
Bradley Observatory
Type
Science & Technology Museum & Planetarium
City
Decatur
State
Georgia
Website
http://www.agnesscott.edu/BRADLEYOBSERVATORY/
IMLS Museum ID
8409500290
Coordinates
33.76984, -84.29563
What kind of museum is Bradley Observatory?

Bradley Observatory is classified as a science & technology museum & planetarium in the IMLS Museum Data Files. Browse more science & technology museum & planetariums →

Where is Bradley Observatory located?

Bradley Observatory is located in Decatur, Georgia at approximately 33.76984, -84.29563. See the map above.

Does Bradley Observatory have a website?

Yes — the IMLS record lists http://www.agnesscott.edu/BRADLEYOBSERVATORY/. Hours and admission can change, so check the official site before you visit.

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