RESTORATION NEWSJan. 2006: We are pleased to announce the publication of DENVER's GREAT TELESCOPE -- a richly illustrated 100 page guide to the great refractor and its environs, by C. & R. Stencel. Copies available at $15 postpaid. Mail request and check payable to: University of Denver, and send to: Prof. Stencel, Chamberlin Observatory, University of Denver, Denver CO 80208 USA, and include your return address info. Proceeds support observatory programs. While supplies last.
June 1, 2001: You are invited to participate in the beginning of a long term effort to provide continuing budget and staff for Denver's historic Chamberlin Observatory. The facility was begun in 1889, and its antique classical refractor telescope saw first light during July 1894. On August 1st 1994, it was placed on the Denver Landmark list, and received $100,000 from the State Historical Society as an emergency repair grant to stabilize the water damaged walls and roof. Much remains to be done.
GOALS: To provide a revenue stream that can support staffing and programs at the University of Denver's historic Chamberlin Observatory, day and night. Examples include staffing and creating daytime programs directed at elementary school children who might not otherwise ever see a real observatory; afternoon continuing ed programs for interested adults and senior citizens; and to enhance the evening DU astronomy classes and Denver Astronomical Society Public Night events. To this end, we seek $1 Million to provide an interest income to support a part time Curator, historian and program supervisor. These funds will also help with program amenities, from internet connections, AV equipment to printed materials for handout and training classes.
BACKGROUND: In 1999, Observatory Director, Prof. Robert Stencel of DU proposed a telescope upgrade and building expansion, in hopes of revitalizing the facility for future decades. This proposal was criticised by members of the astronomy club, neighborhood and university higher administration. Subsequently, in 2000, Dr. Stencel pulled together DU and DAS financial contributions for the addition of digital encoders to the antique telescope that have allowed operators to improve finding efficiency by 3 to 10 times. This makes the antique telescope continue to be viable despite the outrageous levels of light pollution developing over metro Denver. We thank Dave Shouldice for his valiant maintenance of the encoder laptop since 2004. In addition, funds for a new campus telescope have been found that will allow serious students of astronomy to work with modern equipment, independent of Chamberlin Observatory. However, Chamberlin and DU are forever linked.
Hence, we are entering a new time, when Chamberlin operations will need new support for the long term. To help, please contact Prof. Robert Stencel at the University of Denver, 303-871-2135, rstencel@du.edu. Thank you.
Members of the Chamberlin Foundation committee: Dr. Robert Stencel; to be asked: H.J.Howe*, Joanne Dittmer, Jack Eastman, Tom Noel, David Trott*, David Tondreau
Name:________________________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ Phone/email: ____________________________________________ Comments: For your named co-sponsorship of future editions of the Howe book: ____________________________________ Make check payable to UNIVERSITY OF DENVER, CHAMBERLIN ENDOWMENT FUND and mail to Dr. Robert Stencel, Chamberlin Observatory, University of Denver, Denver, CO 80208 USA. Thank you.Donors will be invited to an annual special event star-party at Chamberlin.