Observatory
Photo Credit: Roger Vine
An observatory is a sacred place. The night sky when viewed through a powerful telescope is an invitation to witness the mystery and majesty of the cosmos. The vastness of the universe provides a different perspective to the scale of our cities and civilizations. When we look at the stars, we realize how shared our worlds are.
The telescope at Chamberlin Observatory saw first light in 1894. The observatory is the cornerstone of the Observatory Park neighborhood near the University of Denver. It is named after the prominent philanthropist William Henry Chamberlin, who funded its construction. The total construction cost was $56,000—almost 10 times the anticipated cost. The observatory was built before the common availability of electricity and during an era of horse-drawn wagons. It was designed by renowned architect Robert Roeschlaub, Colorado’s first officially licensed architect. Its picturesque structure is crafted from red sandstone quarried from Lyons, Colorado. The silvery dome of galvanized iron, characteristic of an astronomical observatory, crowns the building, and can rotate to see in any direction of the night sky.
Beneath the dome is an exquisite astronomical instrument. The 26-foot-long telescope is made from steel, cast iron, and brass, all carefully cradling a 20-inch refractor lens to view the heavens. The massive telescope assembly rests on an 11-ton cast iron support pillar grounded by a 25-foot tall, 320-ton foundation of red sandstone block. Even with the immensity of the telescope, microscope-comparable precision movements can occur, and a small child can shift the enormous telescope with the slightest touch.
The telescope at the Chamberlin Observatory was once considered “big glass.” It is now diminutive compared to the massive research telescopes built upon mountains. Chamberlin Observatory represents an era of elegance in Denver when aesthetic design was as valued as functional form. The precision craftsmanship of the observatory continues to offer a way to see beyond our world with unique wonder. The observatory’s history is woven with the growth of the city and astronomy in the American West. Although it no longer enjoys the darkness of rural Denver it once knew, the clear, dry air of Colorado still offers unparalleled views of the dark sky.
For over a century, Chamberlin Observatory has been a place of both scholarly research and public outreach. It provides students, researchers, and the cosmically curious awe-inspiring views of the universe. Public viewings at the Chamberlain Observatory are available on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, reservations are required, and it is often booked months in advance. Beyond its educational and research contributions, Chamberlin Observatory offers a glimpse into the beauty of the cosmos and reminds us that our neighbors share the same dark sky.
An observatory is a place not only for scientific exploration, but for spiritual contemplation. It is a place to be reminded of who we are and where we are. An observatory is a sacred place.
