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Oak Ridge Observatory

Coordinates: 42°30′18″N 71°33′30″W / 42.50500°N 71.55833°W / 42.50500; -71.55833
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Oak Ridge Observatory
Oak Ridge Observatory
Alternative namesGeorge R. Agassiz Station Edit this at Wikidata
Observatory code 801 Edit this on Wikidata
LocationHarvard, Massachusetts, United States of America
Coordinates42°30′18″N 71°33′30″W / 42.50500°N 71.55833°W / 42.50500; -71.55833
Established1933
Websitehttp://tdc-www.harvard.edu/oakridge/oakridge/ Oak Ridge Observatory
Telescopes
  • Project BETA Telescope
  • Wyeth 61-inch reflector Edit this on Wikidata
Telescopes
Oak Ridge Observatory is located in the United States
Oak Ridge Observatory
Location of Oak Ridge Observatory
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The Oak Ridge Observatory, also known as the George R. Agassiz Station, is located at 42 Pinnacle Road, Harvard, Massachusetts. It was operated by the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics as a facility of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) until August 19, 2005.[1]

The observatory was established in 1933. Through its first 40 years, its primary research focus was on tracking minor planets and asteroids in the Solar System. Starting in the 1980s, astronomers began to use the facility to measure stars over long periods of time, which led to hunts for extrasolar planets, i.e., planets outside the Solar System. Surveys at Oak Ridge found many such distant planets.[citation needed]

The largest telescope east of Texas in the United States is the 61-inch reflector. (see Hobby-Eberly Telescope) However, most of its projects were discontinued in 2005. Harvard University's Optical SETI program continues at the site.

It also housed an 84-foot (26 m) steerable radio telescope once used in Project BETA, a search for extraterrestrial intelligence. A 41-cm (16-inch) Boller and Chivens Cassegrain reflector originally housed at Oak Ridge is available for public use at the National Air and Space Museum's Public Observatory Project on the National Mall in Washington, DC.[2]

See also

Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Phoebe Waterman Haas Public Observatory Hobby–Eberly Telescope

Notes and references