MIT Wallace Astrophysical Observatory

The George R. Wallace Astrophysical Observatory was dedicated in the fall of 1971. It is named for a member of the MIT Class of 1913 who supported construction of the observatory. Company Overview The Wallace Astrophysical Observatory is a teaching and research facility run by the Planetary Astronomy Lab in the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences (EAPS) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Students in the astronomy classes, 12.409 "Hands-on Astronomy: Observing Stars and Planets" and 12.410 "Observational Techniques of Optical Astronomy", as well as the recently formed MIT Astrophotography Club, travel to Wallace to make observations. Description There are six telescopes mounted on permanent concrete piers at the site. The two original, and largest, telescopes at Wallace, the 24-in and the 16-in Cassegrain reflectors, each have their own domes. Four 14-in telescopes are housed in an observing shed with a robotic roll-off roof. General Information The main building at Wallace has a restroom with shower, a kitchenette area, a common room, a bunk room, a work room which doubles as the observer's control room for the 24-in, and a machine shop area. The site also features a paved driveway, ideal for setting up portable equipment and telescopes.