About The Warner & Swasey Refracting Telescope
Observa-Dome Laboratories, Inc in Jackson, Mississippi had been the previous location to an 11-inch clear aperture (F 17.5) Warner & Swasey Refracting Telescope, housed in a 20.375-foot diameter metal observatory dome.
We had made the decision to sell this remarkable telescope due to increasing light pollution at our facility and it has since been moved to a new home. We are proud to have been a part of this telescope's unique history and look forward to continuing our commitment to excellence in the field of observatory domes and automation.
Sharing the Telescope’s Historical and Cultural Impact
Originally constructed for Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts in 1886, this telescope was acquired and refurbished by our team in the early 1960s. The telescope remains in its original condition, complete with a wind-up clock drive, and serves as a testament to the ingenuity and craftsmanship of its creators.
This equatorial mounting is not only the first 12-inch telescope mount made by Warner & Swasey but is also believed to house the original Merz objective from Cincinnati.
