279 – Northmoor Observatory
Peoria Landmark #279
This photo was taken only by dumb luck just before it got a new dome of which I wasn’t aware was so soon in the works.
Report on the new dome from Week-TV:
For all of you star gazers, workers are putting the finishing touches on the new dome of the Northmoor Observatory.
After last week’s removal of the 55-year-old sliding dome that was operated mostly by manual chains, the construction of a new electric powered dome is almost complete.
Grants and donations paid for most of the 75 thousand dollar dome.
“There have been many people involved in the funding of the dome. Caterpillar has been involves in it. We’ve had participation also from local companies. NE Finch was one of them. Intec Service another, we’ve had three labor unions, The Masons, The Ironworkers, and the Steam Fitters have all contributed people and apprentices and so forth to help with the construction of the dome”, said Peoria Astronomical Society member, Terry Beachler.
The almost 100-year-old, 12-foot telescope housed in the observatory is also getting a facelift before returning to the observatory. Terry Beachler says the renovation has come at a good time, as this is the International Year of Astronomy. The 400th anniversary since Galileo looked through a telescope.
History, via the Peoria Astronomical Society:
Northmoor Observatory is located within the city of Peoria at the Leo Donovan Golf Course, and houses a 9 inch refractor telescope.
The telescope was one of two built in 1913 for the Illinois Watch Company of Springfield, Illinois. The 9-inch flint-forward lens was ground by Petitdidier, the same optician who ground lenses for Dr. A.A. Michelson’s famous experiment to determine the speed of light. The telescope body was manufactured by Gaertner Scientific of Chicago,
Illinois. The telescope was purchased by Bradley University, but put away and never used. It was later “re-discovered” sitting under bleachers in Huff Gym in the old Field House on the Bradley campus. In 1955, it was reassembled at the Northmoor site where it still stands. The observatory underwent a major renovation in 2009, and a new rotating dome was installed in place of the original rusted dome.
February 22nd, 2009 at 6:22 pm
Northmoor Observatory out at the golf course.
February 22nd, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Yep… how sad is that??
February 22nd, 2009 at 9:01 pm
But it is undergoing much needed repairs:
http://www.peoriaparks.org/northmoor-observatory
NOTE: Northmoor Observatory is currently undergoing renovation work. Plans are to reopen on May 2 for the start of the 2009 season.
Reach for the stars! On clear Saturday evenings, May-October, come out at dusk and get a view of the sky through our nine-inch refractor telescope. The Observatory is about half-way across the Donovan Golf Course toward Proctor Hospital. It is run by the Peoria Astronomical Society, and donations are welcome.
Call Bill Cole at 309-369-6414 for details.
March 8th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
Well now that you edited and added all the updates, my old comment looks pretty silly!
March 9th, 2009 at 9:07 am
No, not at all!