About Us
History
Dr. Henry Philip Tappan, the first President of the University of Michigan, was inaugurated in 1852. Tappan's vision for higher education was to complement the classical course with a scientific course. Laboratories were central to Tappan's vision, and along with a chemical laboratory and medical facilities, an observatory was a top priority. The Detroit observatory was concieved of in 1852 and the building was completed in 1853. This was the first observatory in MIchigan and established the study of astronomy at the University of Michigan.
The Department of Astronomy at the University of Michigan has been active since 1856 and while the Detroit Observatory is no longer in use as a research facility, the department still operates four research telescopes at three different sites: a 26 meter Radio Observatory located minutes away from campus, a 0.6 meter Curtis Schmidt telescope on Cerro Tololo, Chile, and two telescopes of 1.3 and 2.4 meter aperture at the MDM (Michigan-Dartmouth-MIT) Observatory located on Kitt Peak near Tucson, Arizona.
The Detroit Observatory is an important physical legacy of the University's early scientific preeminence and of Tappan's efforts to create a research university. The continuing activity of the Astronomy department reflects his success.
A general history of the Observatories of the University of Michigan, written by David Snyder of the University Lowbrow Astronomers, the local amateur group.
Further contributions and links are welcomed. Send contributions to the astroweb email address.
