Chabot Space and Science Center
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Chabot Space and Science Center (CSSC) is a teaching and learning center in Oakland, California that focuses on astronomy and space science.
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[edit] History
The Chabot Space and Science Center was founded in 1883 as the Oakland Observatory by Anthony Chabot in downtown Oakland.[1] It was used for decades as the official timekeeping station for the entire bay area with its transit telescope. Due to an increase in light pollution, in 1915 the observatory was moved to its current location in the Oakland Hills.
Seismec concerns were noted in 1977, and in 1989 Chabot Observatory & Science Center (COSC) was formed as a Joint Powers Agency with the City of Oakland, the Oakland Unified School District, and the East Bay Regional Park District, in collaboration with the Eastbay Astronomical Society. Construction of the new Science Center began in May 1998, and on August 19, 2000 the new 86,000-square-foot center opened its doors to the public.
[edit] Telescopes
Chabot Space and Science Center has three telescopes. "Leah" is an 8" refractor telescope was built in 1883 by Alvan Clark and donated by Anthony Chabot.[2] "Rachael" is a 20" refractor telescope commissioned in 1914 from Warner & Swasey, with optics by John Brashear.[3] It is the largest refractor in the western United States regularly open to the public. "Nellie" is a 36" reflecting telescope which opened in June 2003 and is housed in a rolling roof observatory.[4]
[edit] Attractions
Aside from its telescopes, it contains:
- the Ask Jeeves Planetarium, a "full dome digital projection system" with various shows running daily.[5]
- the Tien MegaDome Theater, a 70-foot dome screen auditorium with various shows running daily.[6]
- the Challenger Learning Center, a hands-on simulated space mission where 8 teams work together to complete a mission.[7]
- Many changing exhibits that highlight space and science topics. As of August 18, 2006, there are nine open exhibits.[8]
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.chabotspace.org/aboutus/
- ^ http://www.chabotspace.org/vsc/observatory/leah/default.asp
- ^ http://www.chabotspace.org/vsc/observatory/rachel/default.asp
- ^ http://www.chabotspace.org/vsc/observatory/nellie/default.asp
- ^ http://www.chabotspace.org/visit/planetarium.asp
- ^ http://www.chabotspace.org/visit/theater.asp
- ^ http://www.chabotspace.org/visit/challenger/
- ^ http://www.chabotspace.org/visit/exhibits.asp
