Proposal for Reintegration of the Smith Telescope

Modern society has been shaped largely by vast increases in knowledge that permitted an explosion of invention and improvement in standard of living for millions of people. Telescopes and microscopes use ingeniously fashioned optical components to extend human reach beyond the "human sphere" (biological zone of experience) we have to allow visual examination of objects that are very large, and very small. The origins of modern understanding of nature can be directly traced to discoveries made with telescopes and microscopes.

Hobart and later William Smith (HWS) College is fortunate to have been a participant in both aspects of the modern "march of discovery" and resulting scientific revolution.

The Smith Telescope is a unique and historic telescope facility innately entwined with important history of HWS. The 120 year old refracting telescope was unusually prominent in its day and remarkably has retained nearly all accessories. And the building is essentially unchanged and is in excellent condition. There are fewer than 10 vintage telescopes like this in the United States today and few have the full compliment of accessory instruments. The main telescope is fully functional including the sidereal mercury-pendulum clock. Accessories include a spectroscope, attachment, a filar micrometer, objective lenses and photographic negative cameras. A transit telescope and mercury pendulum chronometer are used to accurately set sidereal time. There are other artifacts as well from the past resident Astronomer, Dr. W. Brooks.

The observatory belonged to HWS until about 1972 when it was abandoned to its present owner, Jack Mulvey. There was no astronomy professor at that time and the observatory had fallen into decay. Mr. Mulvey took an interest in preserving the observatory and presently holds open public tours in the summer. Much of the auxiliary equipment formerly in storage at HWS has recently been put on permanent loan to the observatory. There presents today an opportunity for HWS to revisit the desirability of reintegrating the Smith Telescope to the campus and modern curriculum.

To read the entire case study, please download the PDF. Please use this link to view / download the complete case study.

To see the resume of the expert associated with this case study, see the link below.