Observatories

Astronomy department has access to a variety of facilities to support research and teaching

Indiana University is a partner in the WIYN telescope consortium which operates a 3.5-meter telescope atop Kitt Peak southwest of Tucson, AZ. As a founding member of the WIYN Consortium, department has access to more than 60 nights of observing time on the 3.5-m telescope each year.

Historic facilities include a 36-inch reflector at the Goethe Link Observatory (named for Dr. Goethe Link) near Mooresville, Indiana. This facility is currently operated by the Indiana Astronomical Society, an amateur astronomy group in the Indianapolis area. The 36-inch telescope is not currently used for departmental research because of nearby urban lights. A site in the Morgan-Monroe State Forest houses a 16” robotic telescope that is no longer used by the department.