Principia Astronomical Observatory

The Principia Astronomical Observatory is an observatory located on the campus of Principia College, in Elsah, Illinois, United States. The observatory was installed on June 18, 1998.^[1] It features a 16^[2] inch mirror and is of a Ritchey-Chretien design. The objective focal length of the telescope is 4000 mm. The control software is by the Telescope Control System written by Dave Harvey of Comsoft Software (of Tucson, AZ). The mirror was ground and certified by Don Loomis, former chief optician at Kitt Peak National Laboratories. The telescope was manufactured by Optomechanics Research.

Principia Astronomical Observatory

Organization	Principia College
Observatory code	846
Location	1 Maybeck Place, Elsah, IL
Coordinates	38.950198°N 90.345101°W / 38.950198; -90.345101
Established	June 18, 1998
Telescopes
Ritchey-Chretien 16 in mirror
Location of Principia Astronomical Observatory

It is the largest academic telescope in the region.^[3]

See also

• List of astronomical observatories

References

1. Cornell, D. A. (June 1999). "Principia Astronomical Observatory". International Amateur-Professional Photoelectric Photometry Communication. 76 (76): 62. Bibcode:1999IAPPP..76...62C.
2. "Principia College". Retrieved 2010-06-17.
3. Hurley, Sue (Jan 18, 1999). "Powerful Telescope Opens the Heavens to Principia Researchers Custom-made Device is Largest in Region". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. 7.

External links

• Clear Sky Clock Forecasts of observing conditions covering Principia Astronomical Observatory.
• Official website of the Principia Astronomical Observatory
• Principia Observatory Flickr Page

38.950185°N 90.345101°W / 38.950185; -90.345101