Learn more about Yerkes Observatory
What kind of astronomy outreach activities are you involved in at Yerkes Observatory ?
I work with a robotic observing program called Skynet / Skynet Junior Scholars , which makes it possible for students and educators to have an image of anything in the night sky taken by optical or radio telescopes all over the world . I also do a summer program called Yerkes Astrophysics Academy for Young Scientist ( YAAYS ), which my sister helped start back in 2007 . Another program I do is the Family Night Program that started in January of 2011 . I started it in memory of my sister . It ’ s for students and their families to come and learn about science and astronomy here at Yerkes . They ’ ll do different activities based on a certain topic . We ’ ve done comets , asteroids , the solar system in general , black holes , the reasons behind the seasons and then technology aspects . It features talks from astronomers and engineers that work at Yerkes Observatory and some hands on activities to go along with the talks . I have also worked a few of the star parties we hold here at Yerkes , one of which is a Harry Potter themed one called the “ Magic of Astronomy ” star party in collaboration with the Wisconsin School for the Blind and Visually Impaired Astronomy Club .
COURTESY OF Yerkes Observatory
Brittnay Struble , right , participates in the Harry Potter-themed star party held at Yerkes Observatory in collaboration with the Wisconsin School for the Blind and Visually Impaired Astronomy Club .
Sky ’ s Up
Learn more about Yerkes Observatory
Built in the closing years of the 19th century , Yerkes Observatory is located on Geneva Lake in Williams Bay , Wisc . The historic facility , which is part of the University of Chicago ’ s Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics , was founded by George Ellery Hale and named for its financier Charles T . Yerkes . The first observations at Yerkes were made in 1897 on the facility ’ s legendary 40-inch refractor , which remains the largest telescope of its kind in the world today . This impressive telescope was not the only unique aspect incorporated into the observatory ’ s design . In accordance with Hale ’ s vision , Yerkes was built to include laboratory space to broaden the capabilities of the facility . The inclusion of space for research in physics and chemistry put Yerkes on the frontier of modern astrophysics . Today , the observatory continues to operate as an educational and research facility . In addition to the 40-inch refractor , which has been in use for well over a century , the facility offers both a 24-inch and a 40- inch reflector . For more information on Yerkes Observatory , click here .
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