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Science & Technology Museum & Planetarium

Michigan State University Observatory

Michigan State University Observatory is a science & technology museum & planetarium in East Lansing, Michigan. It is one of the U.S. museums catalogued by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

East Lansing, MichiganScience & Technology Museum & Planetarium
Photograph of Michigan State University Observatory
Photo: Michigan State University Observatory via Wikimedia Commons — see the file page for author and license. Image source
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Michigan State University Observatory

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About this museum

What is Michigan State University Observatory?

Michigan State University Observatory is an astronomical observatory owned and operated by Michigan State University. It is located south of the Michigan State University campus in East Lansing, Michigan (USA), near the corner of Forest Rd and College Rd. It has a Cassegrain telescope in its single dome. Built by Boller and Chivens, the Michigan State University telescope was commissioned in 1969 and entered regular operation in 1970. In 1974, what was at the time a state-of-the-art Raytheon Microcomputer was installed to function as a data gathering and control system. Originally, single channel photoelectric photometry and photography using plates or film were the means of acquiring data. The observatory was closed from 1981 until 1986, at a time when the university was having financial difficulties. It was reopened in the spring of 1986 on the occasion of the return of Comet Halley and has been in regular operation ever since. Since the 1980s, a CCD camera has been employed as the main instrument and the Raytheon computer has been retired. The International Astronomical Union has assigned the MSU Observatory identification code 766.

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

The record

Museum details

Name
Michigan State University Observatory
Type
Science & Technology Museum & Planetarium
City
East Lansing
State
Michigan
IMLS Museum ID
8409500656
Coordinates
42.73560, -84.49352
What kind of museum is Michigan State University Observatory?

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

Where is Michigan State University Observatory located?

Michigan State University Observatory is located in East Lansing, Michigan at approximately 42.73560, -84.49352. See the map above.

Does Michigan State University Observatory have a website?

The IMLS record for Michigan State University Observatory does not list a website.

Nearby

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