Long-Forgotten UConn Observatory Again Reaches Star Status

STORRS, CT — A forgotten location on the University of Connecticut Campus is making a comeback.

It's the East Road Observatory, which can be traced back to Professor Cynthia Peterson, the first woman on the UConn physics faculty, whose trademark was enthusiasm and passion for teaching and outreach. She was known for her support of the East Road Observatory, which was built in 1970 by Peterson and machinist Richard Mindek.

After a few decades of use, the observatory fell into disrepair and was fading into history.

That is, until recently, when a team of staffers, students, researchers, an alumni, along with an award-winning telescope builder, decided to revive it.

UConn officials said that, in the fall of 2022, Physics Assistant Professor-in-Residence Matthew Guthrie learned about the observatory and started to wonder about its history. After months of repair work, troubleshooting, and a thorough cleaning, the observatory is operational again. It is slated to be formally renamed at a ceremony scheduled for Tuesday.

One challenge was nearby growth and research fields, which weren't present when the observatory was built in an open landscape. Guthrie said up stepped the agricultural research farm staff, including Farm Manager Travis Clark, who supervised the removal of some trees.

A "moon garden" around the building with night-blooming flowers is on the list of renovations.

UConn researchers already have access to a network of telescopes around the world but, time on the scopes requires fees after submitting proposals justifying the need for research time, officials said. Now, Guthrie said, students and researchers can get some hands-on experience with an earth-bound scope in Storrs.

Opening ceremonies are on tap for sunset on Tuesday. Then, a new 16-inch telescope will be available for an exploration of "deep sky objects, planets, and (if visibility allows), the Apollo 15 landing site," Guthrie said.

See more about the project on the UConn Today site.