The Brooks Astronomical Observatory is operated by the Physics Department of Central Michigan University. It is located in the community of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, USA, with a population of 25,000. The observatory was established in 1964 when the University opened the Brooks Hall science building, and it is located on the building's roof. The building and observatory are named in honor of Dr. Kendall P. Brooks who taught astronomy and other subjects at the University in the period of 1910-47.

 

The observatory originally housed a 20-inch (50-cm) Newtonian/Cassegrain reflector manufactured by StarLiner. This instrument was used for public viewing and visual variable star work, but it did not function satisfactorily and was removed in 1975 and eventually sold. The 20-inch was replaced in 1977 by a 14-inch (35-cm) Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope by Celestron. The Celestron-14 was replaced in 1996 with a 16-inch (40-cm) computer-controlled classical Cassegrain reflector manufactured by DFM Engineering. The present telescope is equipped for CCD direct imaging, UBVRI photometry, medium-dispersion spectroscopy, as well as for visual observing.

 

The observatory facilities contain two sections: a research and reference area and the observing area. The research area contains, several pc computers, a darkroom, and a library of about 1000 volumes of observatory publications, catalogues, charts, and atlases. The observing area includes a 5-meter diameter dome that houses the DFM telescope, a warmroom containing the instrument control computers, and a small office and storage area. Adjacent to the main dome is an outdoor observing platform for naked-eye or small telescope viewing.

 

Brooks Observatory is mainly used for visual observations by astronomy students and the general public. Monthly public open nights were established in 1976. The Brooks Observatory has been used for photoelectric and visual timings of lunar and asteroidal occultations; photometric measures of variable stars, cluster stars, and spectroscopic binaries; and astrometry of minor planets and comets. Staff members also carry out research on the physics of accretion disks. Observational projects using data obtained elsewhere have involved globular cluster variable stars, comet photometry, objective-prism radial velocities, Hubble Space Telescope astrometry, and solar eclipse studies.

 

Astronomers that have been on the Central Michigan University faculty and associated with the observatory include Walter Bisard (1965-2002), John Hackos (1970-1974), Wayne Osborn (1976-2007), Gary Wilcox (1980-1981), Dennis Machnik (1984-1988), Dennis Dawson (1987-1988), Glen Williams (1988- ), Jason Quinn(2006- 2008) and Christopher Tycner (2007 -). Twelve Central Michigan University students have completed masters degrees with a thesis in astronomy.