CMU senior Reggie Jeff and observatory director Larry Peery examine the controls of the observatory’s Clark refracting telescope. Jeff will be among those on hand to assist visitors at the historic facility during viewing hours.

Central Missouri residents are invited to view the universe during weekly guided sessions from Sept. 11 through Oct. 30 at the historic Morrison Observatory operated by Central Methodist University in Fayette. All sessions are free.
The observatory will be open from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. on the following Thursdays: Sept. 11, 18 and 25; Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30.

“We will have the moon, star clusters, nebulae, galaxies, double stars and other objects for viewing,” said Dr. Larry Peery, professor of physics and director of the observatory.
Peery also noted that Jupiter will be in the western skies during these sessions.

CMU faculty and students and volunteers from the Central Missouri Astronomical Association will host the public sessions. These will include tours of the facility that explain its history and feature hands-on science activities.
Visitors will be able to use a variety of telescopes for viewing, weather permitting.

The observatory is located at 700 Park Road in Fayette next to the Fayette City Park. It can be reached by taking Besgrove Street west from the intersection of Highways 5 and 240 in Fayette. Go to Park Road and turn left, go one block and the observatory is on the right.

The Morrison Observatory, which is celebrating its 133rd anniversary this year, features a 17-foot-long, 12- inch-aperture Clark refractor telescope manufactured in 1875 by Alvan Clark and Sons of Cambridge, Mass. The firm was considered the best telescope maker in the United States at that time.

The observatory also has a historic 8-inch refracting telescope that was used as a time standard for much of the Midwest in the late 1800s, and a modern 10-inch reflecting telescope.

Originally located in Glasgow, the observatory was operated there under direction of the trustees of the Pritchett School Institute, which closed in 1922.

In 1927, the Circuit Court of Howard County awarded to Central College (CMU) the observatory and certain real property that had been part of the facility in Glasgow.
In 1935, Central completed a structure to house the original observatory dome, telescope and other instruments. The equipment was moved to Fayette that year and the new observatory structure was dedicated in June 1936.
For additional information about the observatory, viewing sessions or directions, contact Dr. Peery by e-mail at lpeery@centralmethodist.edu.

© Copyright 2002-2005 by Wood Creek Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Top of Page