http://debianws.lexgopc.com/wiki143/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Behlen_ObservatoryBehlen Observatory - Revision history2026-05-14T09:17:28ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.1http://debianws.lexgopc.com/wiki143/index.php?title=Behlen_Observatory&diff=2129454&oldid=previmported>HuskerPower: /* See also */ list2025-06-23T22:26:24Z<p><span class="autocomment">See also: </span> list</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{short description|Observatory in Mead, Nebraska, U.S.}}<br />
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}}<br />
{{infobox observatory<br />
| name = Behlen Observatory<br />
| image = <br />
| caption = <br />
| organization = [[University of Nebraska–Lincoln]]<br />
| code = <br />
| location = County Road 8 <br> [[Mead, Nebraska]]<br />
| coords = {{coord|41|10|15|N|96|26|48|W|}}<br />
| altitude = <br />
| weather = <br />
| established = 1972<br />
| closed = <br />
| website = {{URL|https://observatory.unl.edu/}}<br />
| telescope1_name = [[Boller and Chivens]] [[Maksutov telescope|Cassegrain Telescope]]<br />
| telescope1_type = 30" reflector<br />
}}<br />
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'''Behlen Observatory''' is a research facility and [[Astronomy|astronomical]] [[observatory]] in [[Mead, Nebraska]]. It is owned and operated by the astronomy department of the [[University of Nebraska–Lincoln]].<br />
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==History==<br />
In 1971, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln acquired an approximately 17,000-acre site near [[Mead, Nebraska]] formerly used by the [[Nebraska Ordnance Plant]] to manufacture munitions during [[World War II]].<ref name=Wahoo/> Most of the site was converted for agricultural research, but one building was repurposed as an astronomical observatory.<ref name=Wahoo>{{cite news|url=https://astro.unl.edu/observatory/bo-article4.html|title=Star Gazing: Open House Planned At Behlen Observatory|author=Lisa Brichacek|newspaper=Wahoo Newspaper|access-date=23 June 2025}}</ref> Its location nearly forty miles northeast of [[Lincoln, Nebraska|Lincoln]] was considered favorable for its lack of [[light pollution]] while still providing quick access to campus and nearby [[Omaha, Nebraska|Omaha]].<ref name=Behlen>{{cite web|url=https://nebraska.edu/offices-policies/business-finance/facilities-planning-and-capital-programs/projects/behlen-observatory|title=Real Estate Showcase: Behlen Observatory|website=[[University of Nebraska system]]|access-date=23 June 2025}}</ref><br />
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When it opened in 1972, the observatory featured a 30-inch [[Cassegrain reflector]] manufactured by [[Boller and Chivens]], acquired at a discounted price as the [[University of Washington]] purchased an identical telescope at the same time.<ref name=Astronomy>{{cite web|url=http://astro.unl.edu/observatory/|title=Observatories of the UNL Department of Physics & Astronomy|website=Behlen Observatory|access-date=15 December 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051211124957/http://astro.unl.edu/observatory/|archive-date=11 December 2005|url-status= live}}</ref> The three-story facility included a bomb shelter on the first floor, a holdover from the building's original design, with its computer systems and a newly built dome room above.<ref name=Wahoo/><br />
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The observatory was dedicated in 1993 after a donation from local businessman and longtime patron [[Walter Behlen]].<ref name=Behlen/> It is now used infrequently as the university has deemphasized its astronomy program, though its original telescope is still occasionally used for [[variable star]] research.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.universetoday.com/articles/on-the-astronomy-trail-in-nebraska|title=On the Astronomy Trail in Nebraska|author=David Dickinson|website=Universe Today|date=6 December 2018|access-date=23 June 2025}}</ref> The Behlen Observatory opens to the public several nights per year and features lectures from NU scientists.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dailynebraskan.com/news/behlen-observatory-s-hunting-orion-to-offer-tangible-view-of/article_5fc6799c-177c-11e8-9252-77eba60c6bda.html|title=Behlen Observatory's 'Hunting Orion' to offer tangible view of night sky|author=John Grinvalds|newspaper=[[The Daily Nebraskan]]|date=22 February 2018|access-date=23 June 2025}}</ref><br />
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==See also==<br />
*[[List of astronomical observatories]]<br />
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==References==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
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==External links==<br />
*[http://cleardarksky.com/c/BhlnObNEkey.html?1 Behlen Observatory Clear Sky Clock]<br />
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{{University of Nebraska–Lincoln}}<br />
{{Portal bar|Astronomy|Stars|Spaceflight|Outer space|Solar System|Education|Science}}<br />
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[[Category:Astronomical observatories in Nebraska]]<br />
[[Category:University of Nebraska–Lincoln buildings and structures]]<br />
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Saunders County, Nebraska]]<br />
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Saunders County, Nebraska]]<br />
[[Category:1972 establishments in Nebraska]]<br />
[[Category:University and college buildings completed in 1972]]</div>imported>HuskerPower