Allegheny Observatory

Perched above the Riverview Park neighbourhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Allegheny Observatory is a working astronomical research institution and a National Register of Historic Places landmark run by the University of Pittsburgh.

About Allegheny Observatory

Allegheny Observatory is part of the University of Pittsburgh's Department of Physics and Astronomy. Its neoclassical building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and recognised as a Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation landmark, was constructed between 1900 and 1912 and is celebrated for its historic contributions to astrometry.

History

The observatory's building dates to the 1900–1912 construction period, and it has served the university's astronomy program through more than a century of change, retaining much of its original neoclassical character while continuing active research and public outreach.

Telescopes & research

Three telescopes sit under its domes: the Thaw Memorial Refractor, used for student labs and public open-house viewing; the fully automated 24-inch Keeler Telescope; and the historic Fitz/Clark Refractor, used on public tours. Researchers at Allegheny have contributed to work such as Rachel Bezanson's study of the galaxy cluster Abell 2744 ("Pandora's Cluster"), featured on NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day, alongside ongoing eclipse research using weather balloons to study shadow bands.

Location & getting there

The observatory sits at 159 Riverview Avenue in Pittsburgh's North Side, a hilltop park setting that keeps it above much of the city's light and away from the busiest streets.

Visiting Allegheny Observatory

Allegheny Observatory offers free public tours, typically running Wednesdays and Fridays from April through October, including a short presentation, a walk through the building, and a chance to observe through the Fitz/Clark Refractor. An annual open house each fall opens more of the building than the regular tours do. Registration is required by phone at 412-321-2400, and the building is partially handicap accessible.

See your named star from here

With three working telescopes and a long tradition of public stargazing, Allegheny Observatory is exactly the kind of place where a named star's coordinates can be put to use. Name a star with Star Register, then bring its RA/Dec details along on a public tour, or browse the star catalogue first for inspiration.