Robinson Observatory
{{Infobox Observatory
|name = Robinson Observatory
|background =
|image = Robinson Observatory.jpg|image_size=200px
|caption =
|organization = University of Central Florida
College of Sciences
|location = Orlando, FL, United States
|coords = {{coord|28.59175|-81.19062 |format=dms |region:US-FL_type:landmark |display=inline,title}}
|altitude =
|weather =
|established = 1995
|closed =
|website = [http://physics.ucf.edu/observatory.php physics.ucf.edu/observatory.php]
|telescope1_name = Primary telescope
|telescope1_type = RCOS Ritchey-Chrétien 20-inch reflector
|telescope2_name = Secondary telescope
|telescope2_type = Meade LX200 14-inch reflector
|telescope3_name = Portable telescope
|telescope3_type = Meade LX200 8-inch reflector
|telescope4_name = Portable telescope
|telescope4_type = Meade LX90 8-inch reflector (6)
}}
The Robinson Observatory is an astronomical observatory owned and operated by the University of Central Florida College of Sciences in Orlando, Florida, USA.{{cite web | title=Robinson Observatory | url=http://physics.ucf.edu/observatory.php | publisher=UCF | accessdate=2008-11-11 | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228103003/http://physics.ucf.edu/observatory.php | archivedate=2009-02-28 }}
Public viewings are held the first and third Wednesday of each month and are sponsored by the Central Florida Astronomical Society (CFAS).{{cite web|url=http://www.cfas.org/Observing/robinson_observatory.html |title=Robinson Observatory |date=October 3, 2007 |publisher=Central Florida Astronomical Society (CFAS) |accessdate=2008-11-11 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081105131142/http://www.cfas.org/Observing/robinson_observatory.html |archivedate=November 5, 2008 }}
History
The observatory was built at a cost of over $500,000 in 1995, with Herbert Robinson donating almost half of the total cost. The observatory was given the name Robinson posthumously, eight months after Herbert Robinson's death, on April 25, 1996.{{cite web | url= http://planets.ucf.edu/observatory/history | title= History - UCF Planetary Sciences Group | publisher= University of Central Florida Department of Physics | accessdate= 2009-06-10}}
In the 2000s, a number of updates and renovations were completed at the observatory. The most recent addition was in 2007; it included high speed internet, a new {{convert|20|in|cm|-1|adj=on}} Ritchey-Chrétien telescope, and the ability to remotely operate the telescope and dome.{{cite web | url= http://www.cfas.org/Observing/robinson_upgrade.html | title= The Robinson Observatory Upgrade |date= September 11, 2008 | publisher= CFAS | accessdate= 2008-11-11 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080518124133/http://www.cfas.org/Observing/robinson_upgrade.html |archivedate = 2008-05-18}}
Future
Plans are under way to expand the Robinson Observatory to include two smaller telescopes with domes donated by the United States Air Force.
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.ucf.edu University of Central Florida]
- [http://www.physics.ucf.edu UCF Department of Physics]
- [http://www.cleardarksky.com/c/RbnsnObFLkey.html?1 Robinson Observatory Clear Sky Clock]
{{University of Central Florida}}
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Category:University of Central Florida
Category:Astronomical observatories in Florida
Category:Buildings and structures in Orlando, Florida