Harold E. Taylor Observatory

$Harold E Taylor Observatory$

Through the vision of applied physics professor, Harold E. Taylor (1971 - 2001), the observatory was constructed in 1974 as a resource to inform, educate, and inspire our students and members of the community with the ever-changing display of the night sky.

Image of Harold E. Taylor, Professor of Astrophysics — Dr. Harold E. Taylor, Professor of Physics (1971 - 2001). Photo credit Stockton University Library Archives.

The observatory hosted thousands of celestial viewings for 30 years until it lay dormant due to a broken transducer used to position the telescope. In 2018, physics alumnae, Miriam Saad, initiated a research project with physics professor Dr. Joseph Trout to refurbish the observatory's 1980s computer interface with modern technology.

After Miriam's graduation in 2018, Dr. Trout along with student physicists, Gracie Buondonno, Briena Feltner, Tara Jacobsen, Colleen Lindenau, and Courtney Weber, reassembled the telescope and installed an updated camera and guidance system through two Research Experiences for Undergraduate grants and a donation made in the name of Timothy Stout, a local amateur astronomer.

While working on the telescope, the students learned about the operation and management of the Meade LX-200 computer controlled telescope and will continue to assist Dr. Trout with running the observatory.

In the fall of 2021, the university received a very generous donation which enabled us to purchase a new 17" PLANEWAVE telescope. The telescope was installed July 2022 and is up and operational. It had its first light on August 18, 2022. In addition, this past October, we installed a new camera system that allows for viewing large scale structures in the universe.

Public Observatory Viewings

Our faculty and student volunteer physicists will guide visitors through a tour of the night sky. Observatory viewing events will be offered throughout the academic semester (September through early May). Each viewing night has been chosen based on a featured object for that evening and volunteers' availability. Attendees should dress according to the weather.

Show Your Support

With your help, we were able to purchase a new 17" PLANEWAVE telescope in 2022, and a new camera system in the Fall of 2024. The addition of the camera system will assist with the students' research in evaluating atmospheric conditions and search for large scale structures in the universe. However, we are still in need of new filters and an image flip mirror to complete the telescope. With the filters, students will be able to isolate specific wavelenghts of light and focus on particular features.

With your help, we can continue to unlock the mysteries of the cosmos and inspire future generations of scientisits.

Donations are tax-deductible and part of the Corporate Matching Gifts Program.

Will You Give Today?

Upcoming schedule

Before you head out to the observatory, please look up at the night's sky. If there is cloud coverage, the viewing night will need to be cancelled. We cannot always send cancellation notices, so please check the the website before you head out to the observatory for cancellations.

Please note: No animals are permitted.

SCHEDULE UPDATE: The Fall 2024 schedule is now complete. Please check back in mid to late January for the Spring schedule.

Make a Reservation

Questions

Questions about the observatory events could be directed to the observatory@stockton.edu or through the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Dean's Office at 609.652.4546 (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM).