Centennial Observatory

Centennial Observatory, part of the Herrett Center for Arts and Science at the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls, has welcomed the public to its dome since opening in May 2004.

About Centennial Observatory

The observatory's main instrument is the Norman Herrett telescope, a 24-inch Ritchey-Chrétien reflector on a computer-controlled fork mount, built by DFM Engineering of Longmont, Colorado. An ARE-125 optical periscope is fitted so the eyepiece view can be shared with visitors using wheelchairs, making the observatory one of the more accessible public telescope facilities in the region.

History

Centennial Observatory opened on 22 May 2004 as part of the Herrett Center for Arts and Science at the College of Southern Idaho.

Telescopes & research

Alongside public education, the 24-inch Herrett telescope is used for asteroid occultation measurements, timing the brief dimming of stars as asteroids pass in front of them to refine data on the asteroids' size and shape.

Location & getting there

The observatory sits on the College of Southern Idaho campus in Twin Falls, Idaho, in the north-western United States.

Visiting Centennial Observatory

Volunteer-hosted public observing nights and educational events run throughout the year at Centennial Observatory; check the Herrett Center's schedule for upcoming dates before visiting.

See your named star from here

A 24-inch research-grade telescope like the Herrett instrument is well suited to locating a named star from its exact coordinates. Search your star, or browse others, in our catalogue.