RenovationObservatory Telescope Restoration
A historic telescope was lifted out of the Observatory dome, restored, and lifted back into the dome.
On Wednesday, May 22, 2013, a crane lifted a 117-year-old telescope out of its dome at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Observatory for scheduled restoration. The Observatory is located at 901 South Mathews Avenue.
The Brashear refracting telescope, built in 1896, remained active professionally in the Observatory until 1967 and is still utilized for educational instruction and public outreach. Due to the weight of larger sections of the telescope, some parts were initially removed and then returned by Facilities & Services through the dome slit.
The restoration was performed by Ray Museum Studios of Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, and was supported by the Chancellor’s Fund and from Friends of the University of Illinois Observatory donations.
The telescope was lifted back into the dome by a crane following restoration on Wednesday, July 31, 2013.