Behlen Observatory

Out past the fields of Mead, Nebraska, Behlen Observatory has given University of Nebraska-Lincoln students and the public a serious view of the night sky since the early 1970s.

About Behlen Observatory

Behlen Observatory is a research facility and astronomical observatory owned and operated by the astronomy department of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, used for both scientific work and student instruction.

History

The observatory opened in 1972 with its main instrument, a 30-inch Cassegrain reflector built by Boller and Chivens, which remains its flagship telescope today.

Telescopes & research

The 30-inch Cassegrain is used for both departmental research and public viewing nights, giving visitors a chance to look through genuinely large professional-grade optics rather than a typical backyard telescope.

Location & getting there

Behlen Observatory is located near Mead, Nebraska, in the North America region, in farmland east of Lincoln chosen to keep the site away from city lights.

Visiting Behlen Observatory

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Department of Physics and Astronomy hosts several free public open house nights each year, typically running from around 8 to 10 p.m., with views of the Moon, planets, and star clusters through the 30-inch telescope when weather allows, plus science demonstrations from Society of Physics Students. Check the department's observatory website for upcoming dates.

See your named star from here

With a 30-inch telescope on hand, Behlen Observatory has more than enough reach to seek out the coordinates of a named star during a public night. Take a look at the naming packages or browse the star catalogue to pick one out.