View source for Embry-Riddle Observatory

{{Use American English|date=August 2025}}
{{Infobox Observatory
 |name             = Embry-Riddle Observatory
 |organization     = [[Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University]]
 |image            = [[File:Embry-Riddle Observatory.jpg|250px]]
 |established      = 2005
 |location         = [[Daytona Beach, Florida]], [[United States]]
 |coords           = {{coord|29.188183|-81.048313|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
 |closed           =
 |weather          = 
 |altitude         = {{convert|36|m|ft|abbr=on}}
 |website          = {{URL| daytonabeach.erau.edu/about/labs/telescope}}
 |telescope1_name  = DFM 
 |telescope1_type  = 1-meter {{f/}}8 [[Ritchey–Chrétien telescope|Ritchey–Chrétien]] reflector from [[DFM Engineering]]
 |telescope2_name  = APM
 |telescope2_type  = 203mm {{f/}}9 [[apochromat]] refractor from APM
 |telescope3_name  = TOA-130
 |telescope3_type  = 130mm refractor from [[Takahashi Seisakusho|Takahashi]]
 |telescope4_name  = FSQ 106
 |telescope4_type  = 106mm refractor from [[Takahashi Seisakusho|Takahashi]]
 |telescope5_name  = CDK20
 |telescope5_type  = 20 inch [[Modified Dall–Kirkham telescope|CDK]] reflector from Planewave Instruments
 |telescope6_name  = TOA-150
 |telescope6_type  = (6) 150mm refractors from [[Takahashi Seisakusho|Takahashi]]
 |telescope7_name  = Heliostat
 |telescope7_type  = Modified [[Meade Instruments]] LX-200 mount with flat mirrors
 }}
The '''Embry–Riddle Observatory''' is an astronomical [[observatory]] owned and operated by [[Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach]]. Hosting an array of optical instruments, this observatory is situated on the roof of the College of Arts and Sciences building in [[Daytona Beach]], [[Florida]].

==History==
Embry-Riddle Observatory, originally known as Embry-Riddle Creekside Observatory, began in a Technical Innovations Pro-Dome {{convert|15|feet|m}} dome located between the Lehman Engineering Building and a creek that ran through campus. In 2012, Embry-Riddle broke ground on the new 140,000 sq-ft College of Arts and Sciences building which included a {{convert|30.5|feet|m}} Ash Dome on the roof.<ref>{{cite web
  | title = With new dome, ERAU reaches for stars
  | publisher = Daytona Beach News-Journal
  | url = http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20130702/news/130709970
  | accessdate = 2016-03-02}}</ref> Upon completion of the building, existing telescopes were moved from the Creekside Observatory to the new building and the university installed a new 1-meter [[Ritchey–Chrétien telescope|Ritchey–Chrétien]] telescope in June, 2014.<ref>{{cite web
  | title = Embry-Riddle telescope opens up space for research, recruitment
  | publisher = Daytona Beach News-Journal
  | url = http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20150808/NEWS/150809569/
  | accessdate = 2016-03-02}}</ref>

[[File:Embry-Riddle Observatory One-Meter RC.jpg|thumb|1-meter {{f/}}8 Ritchey–Chrétien reflector installed at Embry-Riddle Observatory.]]

==General information==
The fifth floor of the College of Arts and Sciences building is used exclusively for astronomy and astronomical research. A rooftop veranda hosts six steel piers for supporting a fleet of Software Bisque Paramount telescope mounts. The fifth floor classroom houses the primary telescope control room and various apparati for astronomy and astrophotography instruction. A dedicated workshop holds all the eyepieces, cameras, adapters, and various support equipment needed to maintain the telescopes. The primary {{convert|30.5|feet|m}} dome weighs {{convert|18000|lbs|kg}}<ref>{{cite web
  | title = ERAU installs new dome for state's largest telescope
  | date = 2 July 2013
 | publisher = WESH Orlando
  | url = http://www.wesh.com/news/central-florida/volusia-county/erau-installs-new-dome-for-states-largest-telescope/20809772
  | accessdate = 2016-03-03}}</ref> and is elevated above the classroom. A smaller {{convert|7|feet|m}} diameter dome housing a [[heliostat]] sits atop the classroom roof. The portable telescopes are stored in a dehumidified storage room on the veranda.

[[File:Embry-Riddle Observatory Veranda Fleet.jpg|thumb|Fleet of portable telescopes on the rooftop veranda of ERAU's COAS building.]]

==Structural==
The primary telescope is supported by a 4-story, {{convert|164313|lbs|kg}} steel truss located inside the building. The steel structure, designed by [[Leo A Daly]] and built by Trinity Fabricators, was erected during the early stages of the building's construction. The College of Arts and Sciences building was finished around the truss, leaving a {{convert|1|inch|cm}} minimum gap between the truss and the building on all levels. The concrete pads for the truss are separated from the building foundation by insulating foam. This isolation prevents building vibrations from coupling into the telescope structure.

[[File:Embry-Riddle Observatory Telescope Truss.jpg|thumb|An 82-ton, 4-story steel truss securing the telescope and isolating it from the surrounding building.]]

==Usage==
The Embry-Riddle Observatory is used primarily for faculty and student teaching and research. Both undergraduate and graduate teams have independent access to the observatory and its facilities. In addition to research, the observatory hosts public open house viewing nights roughly once a month during the spring and fall semesters.

==Primary==
The primary telescope, a {{convert|100|cm|inch}} diameter [[Ritchey–Chrétien telescope|Ritchey–Chrétien]] {{f/}}8 reflector from [[DFM Engineering]], is the largest optical telescope in Florida.<ref>{{cite web
  | title = Embry-Riddle reaches for the stars with $1M telescope
  | publisher = Orlando Sentinel
  | url = https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2014/02/03/embry-riddle-reaches-for-the-stars-with-1m-telescope/
  | access-date = 2016-03-03}}</ref>
The {{Convert|560|lbs|kg}} astrosital [[primary mirror]] was manufactured by DFM Engineering<ref>{{cite web
 |title=DFM has installed 1-m Telescope at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University launching a new astronomy degree program 
 |publisher=DFM Engineering 
 |url=http://www.dfmengineering.com/news_erau_install.html 
 |accessdate=2016-03-03 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906043800/http://www.dfmengineering.com/news_erau_install.html 
 |archivedate=2015-09-06 
}}</ref> and the [[Ultra low expansion glass]] [[secondary mirror]] was built by Brunache Instrumental Optics.

==Instruments==
The observatory has roughly two dozen scientific grade cameras, mostly from [[Santa Barbara Instrument Group]] and Finger Lakes Instruments, with a variety of filters for supporting a wide variety of research needs. The primary instrument, a cryogenically-cooled 4k x 4k x 15&nbsp;um back-thinned STA4150 CCD from Astronomical Research Cameras, is expected to be fully operational in Fall 2016. Initial testing shows dark current of 1.5 electrons per pixel per hour and less than 3 electrons read-out noise. Two SBIG STX16803 cameras attached to [[Takahashi_Seisakusho|Takahashi]] piggy-back scopes provide larger field images while a Finger Lakes FLI-4022C attached to an {{Convert|8|inch|cm}} APM provides a single-shot color image matching the field of a 40mm eyepiece on the primary.

==Operation==
The primary telescope and its three piggy-back scopes are designed to be operated from a climate-controlled room built into the 5th floor classroom. All four instruments can be operated simultaneously, either from a single computer or from separate machines. The portable veranda telescopes are designed to be operated from a user seated near each pier. A portable pier can be assembled in about 15 minutes while the primary telescope can be imaging in less than five minutes.

== See also ==
{{Commonscat|Embry-Riddle Observatory}}
* [[Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach]]
* [[List of astronomical observatories|List of Astronomical Observatories]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://daytonabeach.erau.edu/about/labs/telescope/index.html Embry-Riddle Observatory]
* [http://www.erau.edu/ Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University]
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[[Category:Astronomical observatories in Florida]]
[[Category:2005 establishments in Florida]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Volusia County, Florida]]