Warner and Swasey Observatory

41°32′10″N 81°34′6″W / 41.53611°N 81.56833°W / 41.53611; -81.56833

Warner and Swasey Observatory
The rooftop telescope with the dome open
OrganizationCase Western Reserve University
Observatory code 773 Edit this on Wikidata
LocationCleveland, Ohio (USA)
Coordinates41°32′10″N 81°34′6.5″W / 41.53611°N 81.568472°W / 41.53611; -81.568472
Telescopes
Burrell Schmidt Telescope24" Schmidt
Rooftop Telescope9.5" refractor
Warner and Swasey Observatory is located in the United States
Warner and Swasey Observatory
Location of Warner and Swasey Observatory
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The Warner and Swasey Observatory is the astronomical observatory of Case Western Reserve University. Named after Worcester R. Warner and Ambrose Swasey, who built it at the beginning of the 20th century, it was initially located on Taylor Road in East Cleveland, Ohio, USA. The observatory, which at that time housed a 9.5-inch (24 cm) refractor, was donated in 1919 to the Case School of Applied Science. The newer 24-inch (61 cm) Burrell Schmidt telescope was built in 1939.

Due to rising light pollution in Cleveland, a new station in Geauga County's Montville Township was established in 1950s. Named after Jason John Nassau, the station initially housed the Burrell telescope, which was later moved to Kitt Peak National Observatory. Instead of Burrell the station was equipped with the 36-inch robotic telescope. In 2008 Nassau Station was sold to the Geauga Park District and subsequently incorporated into its Observatory Park.

The observatory currently operates the old 9.5-inch refractor (now known as the rooftop telescope) at the university's University Circle campus, and the Burrell Schmidt telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona. The old site on Taylor Road was sold in 1983.