The Allegheny Observatory is one of the major astronomical research institutions of the world. It is located in Riverview Park, four miles north of the Golden Triangle (downtown Pittsburgh) and eight miles from the University of Pittsburgh of which it is an integral part. Although pioneering in pure research is the chief function of the observatory, its telescopes and instrumental equipment are available for use by students of the university and observatory astronomers teach both credit and non-credit classes at the university. Throughout its long history the observatory has always been aware, too, of its obligation to allow the public to become acquainted with the wonders of the night sky by actual observations and illustrated lectures.

Astronomy the oldest of the sciences, is education in its purest form, for astronomy exists only because people want to know and understand the universe that surrounds them. The Allegheny Observatory was born February 15, 1859 when three citizens of Allegheny City met at the office of Professor Lewis Bradley to consider the purchase of a telescope, “the magnifying power of which would bring the heavenly bodies near enough to be viewed with greater interest and satisfaction”. These men and 29 others later formed the Allegheny Telescope Association.

For more information, please visit http://www.pitt.edu