Weitkamp Observatory
Prof. Dr. Uwe Trittmann, Director
Otterbein College's observatory and planetarium were donated in 1955
by Alfred Henry Weitkamp '04 in memory of Mary Geeding Weitkamp '09,
and rededicated in honor of both in 1982. The Arch B. Tripler,
Jr. Solar Observing Facility was donated in 1990.
Facilities include 14 and 8 inch Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes, a Meade CCD camera and guidance system, and a Spitz planetarium projector.
Location
The Observatory is located on the fifth floor of the McFadden-Schear
science building at Otterbein College, 155 W. Main St., Westerville,
Ohio (building 37 on the
campus map). Use
the stairwell with the planetarium signs (north side of the building,
second from the eastern end).
The observatory is operative, but currently under reconstruction. Click here for a virtual tour of the observatory and progress on reconstruction.
"Starry Mondays" Astronomy Lecture Series
Presented by Dr. Uwe Trittmann, "Starry Mondays" occur on the first
Monday of each month during the academic term, and include an informal
lecture followed by observing of the night sky from Weitkamp
Observatory (weather permitting). Click
here for a schedule of upcoming events.
Observing Opportunities
Apart from the Astromony Lecture Series, visitors and students may
come to Weitkamp Observatory throughout the quarter to observe the
night sky. Check back continuously for dates, times and weather
related cancellations. Click
here to send an email to the
department, or call us at 614-823-1316.
