The Goethe Link Observatory, observatory code 760, is an astronomical

observatory An observatory is a location used for observing terrestrial, marine, or celestial events. Astronomy, climatology/meteorology, geophysical, oceanography and volcanology are examples of disciplines for which observatories have been constructed. H ...

near Brooklyn, Indiana, United States. It is owned by

Indiana University Indiana University (IU) is a system of public universities in the U.S. state of Indiana. Campuses Indiana University has two core campuses, five regional campuses, and two regional centers under the administration of IUPUI. * Indiana Univers ...

and operated by the Indiana Astronomical Society https://iasindy.org/about.html, which efforts are dedicated to the pursuit of

amateur astronomy Amateur astronomy is a hobby where participants enjoy observing or imaging celestial objects in the sky using the unaided eye, binoculars, or telescopes. Even though scientific research may not be their primary goal, some amateur astronomers ...

. It is named in honor of amateur astronomer Dr. Goethe Link, an Indianapolis surgeon, who built it with his private funds. Construction of the observatory started in 1937, and the telescope was first operated in 1939. In 1948, he donated the observatory to Indiana University. From 1949 until 1966, the

Indiana Asteroid Program The Indiana Asteroid Program was a photographic astronomical survey of asteroids during 1949–1967, at the U.S. Goethe Link Observatory near Brooklyn, Indiana. The program was initiated by Frank K. Edmondson of Indiana University using a 10-inch ...

was conducted at Goethe Link, using a 10-inch

Cooke triplet The Cooke triplet is a photographic lens designed and patented (patent number GB 22,607) in 1893 by Dennis Taylor who was employed as chief engineer by T. Cooke & Sons of York. It was the first lens system that allowed elimination of most of t ...

astrograph An astrograph (or astrographic camera) is a telescope designed for the sole purpose of astrophotography. Astrographs are mostly used in wide-field astronomical surveys of the sky and for detection of objects such as asteroids, meteors, and ...

(''f/''6.5). The program resulted in the discovery of 119 asteroids, which were credited by the

Minor Planet Center The Minor Planet Center (MPC) is the official body for observing and reporting on minor planets under the auspices of the International Astronomical Union (IAU). Founded in 1947, it operates at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Function ...

to "Indiana University". When

light pollution Light pollution is the presence of unwanted, inappropriate, or excessive use of artificial lighting. In a descriptive sense, the term ''light pollution'' refers to the effects of any poorly implemented lighting, during the day or night. Light po ...

began to degrade the Goethe Link Observatory's capabilities in the 1960s, Indiana University built a new facility in the Morgan–Monroe State Forest officially designated as the Morgan–Monroe Station (MMS) of the Goethe Link Observatories. IU operated that facility through about 2014. Today, Indiana University primarily uses the WIYN 3.5-m and 0.9-m telescopes located at the

Kitt Peak National Observatory The Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO) is a United States astronomical observatory located on Kitt Peak of the Quinlan Mountains in the Arizona-Sonoran Desert on the Tohono Oʼodham Nation, west-southwest of Tucson, Arizona. With more than ...

near Tucson, AZ for ongoing research. The naming of the two main-belt asteroids, 1602 Indiana and 1728 Goethe Link – both discovered at Goethe Link Observatory in 1950 and 1964, respectively – is related to the Observatory and its parent institution.

References

External links

* ttp://www.iasindy.org/ Indiana Astrononical Society website
WTIU Friday Zone Field Trip: A Look Through the Goethe-Link Observatory's Giant Telescope

Image of the 10-inch lens telescope
manipulated by Professor

Frank K. Edmondson Frank Kelley Edmondson (August 1, 1912 – December 8, 2008) was an American astronomer. Life and career Edmondson was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and grew up in Seymour, Indiana. He graduated from Indiana University in 1933 and received a fel ...

of Indiana University at the Goethe Link Observatory (1950s) * {{Coord, 39.55000, -86.39500, type:landmark_source:USNO/HMNAO, display=title 1939 establishments in Indiana Astronomical observatories in Indiana Buildings and structures in Morgan County, Indiana * Indiana University Minor-planet discovering observatories

See also

References

Further reading

External links