Bell Burnell Observatory
overview
The Bell Burnell Observatory is located on the Promega campus in Fitchburg, WI. The observatory first opened in 1882 as the Student Observatory on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 1960, the building was moved to its current location, where it served as a home for the Madison Astronomical Society for 25 years. Today, the fully renovated observatory is one of the oldest operational observatories in the United States.
Now the Bell Burnell Observatory, this historic facility is a home for students once again. Educational programs hosted by the BTC Institute will give stargazers of all ages a unique opportunity to get hands-on experience with modern observational tools. These programs are supported by a dedicated education fund established by Bill Linton and Dargar Bjorksten.
Learn more about the Bell Burnell Observatory’s history and current activities: Bell Burnell Observatory Key Points
educational ProgramS
Please note: There is a stone staircase leading up to the observatory and a pull-down ladder to access the dome. This is a high-power, research-grade telescope that sends images to a computer screen for viewing as opposed to an eyepiece. Please contact us at least two weeks prior to your tentative visit.
Educational programs are offered for school and community groups Monday – Friday; 9am – 4pm. Learn more about our Observatory Field Trip Program here!
TOURS
Are you interested in a tour of the observatory for a small group instead of a full field trip experience? Please complete this form.
research projects
Bob Aloisi, a graduate student in the Department of Astronomy at UW-Madison, is currently conducting research related to exoplanets with a team of undergraduates. Their work is supported by a grant from the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium. Sound interesting? Follow Bob’s Blog…
For more information, please contact btci@btci.org.
Past Events
The 33rd Annual Wisconsin Space Conference program, hosted by the BTC Institute in August, 2023, included evening visits to BBO. PHOTOS
- October 18th, 2024: Comet C/2024 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) as seen from the Bell Burnell Observatory.
- For 2023-24, the BTC Institute received a $5000 grant from the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium to develop field trips at the observatory. Fill out this form to join us!
- Bob Aloisi’s student group continues their research project at BBO: Bob’s Blog
- Promega employees who have strong interests in astronomy are being trained to use the telescope at Bell Burnell Observatory as program volunteers. Please contact us if you’d like to be involved!
ABOUT DR. JOCELYN BELL BURNELL
Dr. Jocelyn Bell Burnell is an astronomer best known for discovering the rapidly spinning neutron stars later named “pulsars” while she was a graduate student at the University of Cambridge. She has shown a lifelong commitment to supporting women and other marginalized groups in astronomy. Throughout her long career, she championed the belief that anyone can make the next big discovery, and it is this belief that drives the mission of the Bell Burnell Observatory. We were honored to have Dr. Bell Burnell join us for the Astronomers’ Day: Panel Discussion and Naming Dedication of the Bell Burnell Observatory on September 6th and 7th, 2022.
