Pine Bluff Observatory

Pine Bluff Observatory sits in Cross Plains, Wisconsin, about 24 kilometres west of Madison, and has served the University of Wisconsin–Madison since 1958.

About Pine Bluff Observatory

Pine Bluff Observatory (PBO) is owned and operated by the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and is used mainly by the university's students and faculty for instruction and research. The site also serves as a testing ground for new astronomical instruments.

History

PBO opened in 1958 and has operated continuously since, giving generations of UW–Madison students hands-on experience with real telescopes and observational astronomy.

Telescopes & research

Recent research carried out at Pine Bluff Observatory has included measuring the Moon's sodium tail, monitoring circumstellar disks around Be stars, and studying the warm ionized medium of the galaxy.

Location & getting there

The observatory is located in the town of Cross Plains, Wisconsin, roughly 24 km west of Madison, offering darker skies than the city centre.

Visiting Pine Bluff Observatory

As a university facility used for instruction and research, public visiting arrangements are best confirmed directly with the University of Wisconsin–Madison before planning a trip.

See your named star from here

A star named through Star Register comes with real right ascension and declination coordinates, viewable with any telescope, including instruments like those at Pine Bluff. Name a star or explore the star catalogue to find your star's position.