Talk:Allegheny Observatory

Better Photo?
Can we get a better leading photo than the current one being used? The current one (@aug2011) makes it look like the whole building has one dome and a footprint 50 foot square... Earrach (talk) 14:56, 18 August 2011 (UTC)
 * The only photos of the observatory on Wikipedia or Wikimedia Commons are displayed on this page. The only one you could swap it with is the one in the "Current Work" section of the article. I have no problem if you want to swap the one in the infobox around with that one. CrazyPaco (talk) 20:35, 18 August 2011 (UTC)

Keeler scope retired
The 30" Keeler Memorial cassegrain reflector at Allegheny Observatory was dismantled in 2005-2006 and has been replaced with a modern automated catadioptric reflector which went into operation in early 2007.
 * what would be the correct way for listing (name, etc) the new scope in the infobox? I'm a biologist and not familiar with astronomical instruments. Also, you seem to have a good knowledge of telescopes. Do you think a section in the article on the telescopes, current and historical, is warranted for this AO article? CrazyPaco (talk) 23:32, 18 March 2009 (UTC)

earrach April 3rd, 2007

I can confirm this. The old telescope is in pieces underneath the Thaw platform; my picture of its skeleton is here:

The 16" Meade reflector, which is used for classwork, can be seen here:

136.142.111.150 (talk) 14:57, 18 March 2009 (UTC)


 * Please feel free to contribute and integrate any of your information into the article. The article would greatly benefit from your interest in the Observatory and the history of science.  You have some very nice photos there. I think the article would also be much improved if you would be willing to upload them for use in the article, if at least even for a gallery.  If you are interested, the best way is through Wikimedia Commons. As someone heavily involved with the Pitt Wikiproject, and with a great interest in all aspects the University's history, I would greatly appreciate any contributions you would be willing to make, especially since I am not located near Pittsburgh. I'd be happy to help if you have any questions. CrazyPaco (talk) 23:17, 18 March 2009 (UTC)

Original site not quite Triangle Tech
The site was actually located on the grounds of what is now Clayton Academy, on the hillside behind Triange Tech. Triange Tech is a good landmark on Perrysville Avenue for using to find the site though. Earrach (talk) 20:59, 1 May 2013 (UTC)

Original Allegheny Observatory
Does anyone know where the original Allegheny Observatory was at, before this one was built? On PBS, they mentioned it was on Pine Hill, or PineView Hill, or something like that. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Z-vap (talk • contribs) 15:53, 15 August 2010 (UTC)

The location of the original Allegheny Observatory, built in the 1860's, can be found by going to Google Maps and searching "Perrysville Avenue" "Langley Street" and "Pittsburgh", all in the same search. The site was the hilltop situated between Langley St. and University Ave, on the site of the current Clayton Elementary School. Searching "allegheny observatory" at http://images.library.pitt.edu/maps/searchpage.html gives several maps with great period detail of the area.Earrach (talk) 14:14, 18 August 2011 (UTC)
 * FYI, Triangle Tech actually sits on the site that Pitt was located on (then named the Western University of Pennsylvania) from 1889 to 1909. Specifically, Pitt's two primary buildings, Main Hall and Science Hall, were built on the observatory's grounds (donated to Pitt in 1867 when the school was located downtown). The original observatory building was part of that campus sitting behind (just east) of these buildings, as stated. After the observatory was moved, the building was used as a gymnasium (and Pitt's first indoor practice facility for football). You can see the observatory in the back right of this image of WUP's Main Hall (photo is pretty much taken from the South looking Northeast). BTW, and even easier map to use is here, which it allows easier comparisons through time. For those who need help locating it, start in between Heinz Field and PNC Park and head due North on the map until you see Clayton Avenue/Perrysville Ave (btw, Langley Avenue is named after Pitt professor and Allegheny Observatory director Samuel P. Langley and University Avenue's name is obviously a holdover from when Pitt was located there) CrazyPaco (talk) 21:37, 1 May 2013 (UTC)

External links modified
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Astronomer Couple buried on site?
With respect to Sarah Williams' poem, The Old Astronomer to His Pupil, I read somewhere unverifiable that the last line of her poem ("I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night") was used as an epitaph for an Astronomer-couple buried at Alleghany Observatory. Is this true? Could somebody please add more information. 24.78.190.118 (talk) 06:38, 10 March 2021 (UTC)


 * The quotation is on a plaque located on the stone for John & Phoebe Brashear. I do not have a good picture of this, but will attempt to take one the next time I am there. 130.49.235.177 (talk) 20:33, 26 October 2021 (UTC)