Stull Observatory

Stull Observatory sits on the campus of Alfred University in western New York, home to seven separate telescopes and a long-running tradition of public stargazing nights.

About Stull Observatory

Stull Observatory is owned and operated by Alfred University in Alfred, New York, and takes its name from John Stull, who helped establish it in 1966. It houses seven independently mounted telescopes, ranging from 8 to 32 inches in aperture, making it one of the more instrument-rich university observatories in the region.

History

The observatory was founded in 1966 with John Stull's help and has grown over the decades into a working hub for both teaching and public outreach at Alfred University.

Telescopes & research

Its largest instrument, the Austin-Fellows 32-inch Newtonian Reflector, ties with the Vassar College Class of 1951 Observatory for the rank of second-largest optical telescope in New York State, behind only the 40-inch telescope at SUNY Oneonta's observatory. Stull Observatory supports Alfred University's astronomy minor and astrophysics concentration, giving students direct access to serious observing equipment as part of their coursework.

Location & getting there

The observatory is located in Alfred, in western New York State, a small university town whose surroundings offer darker skies than nearby cities.

Visiting Stull Observatory

Stull Observatory's telescopes are regularly opened to the public, making it one of the more accessible university observatories for visitors interested in stargazing. Check Alfred University's website for current public viewing schedules before visiting.

See your named star from here

With seven telescopes at hand, Stull Observatory has no shortage of ways to find a particular point in the sky, exactly what's needed to view a star named through Star Register at its precise coordinates. Name a star, or explore the catalogue of stars named so far.