Jewett Observatory

Jewett Observatory sits on the Washington State University campus in Pullman, Washington, home to the largest refracting telescope in the state and monthly star parties open to the public.

About Jewett Observatory

Formally the James Richard Jewett Observatory, the facility is owned and operated by Washington State University at an elevation of about 790 metres. Its centrepiece is a 12-inch refracting telescope whose lens was ground and polished between 1887 and 1889 by the renowned firm Alvan Clark & Sons, originally for an amateur astronomer who died before it could be assembled. The lens sat in storage until the university purchased it at auction in the 1950s, and the dome that now houses it was dedicated in 1953.

History

The observatory is named after George Jewett of Spokane, whose son was a supporter of the observatory. Rather than a research institute, it has always been built around teaching, with its telescope remaining the largest refractor in the state of Washington.

Telescopes & research

Jewett Observatory is not used for research; instead, it primarily supports undergraduate labs and training, and houses twelve portable telescopes for student use. The main 12-inch refractor is also opened to any trained students and, on monthly star party nights, to the general public.

Location & getting there

The observatory is located in Pullman, Washington, in the North America region, at roughly 790 metres elevation on the WSU campus.

Visiting Jewett Observatory

The public is welcome at Jewett Observatory's monthly star party nights. Check the observatory's website for the current schedule before visiting.

See your named star from here

At a star party here, the historic 12-inch refractor can be aimed at the same coordinates that mark your own named star. Name a star, or browse the catalogue of stars already named.