Andreas Observatory

Andreas Observatory — named for Lowell and Nadine Andreas of Mankato, MN — was established in 1990 to provide the MSU astronomy program with a modern observing facility. This observatory has three basic functions:

To train students majoring in astronomy in the use of a modern telescope
To provide a telescope capable of supporting student and faculty research projects
To offer opportunities to the public for viewing the night skies through a research-quality telescope

In February 2010, the decision to eliminate the Astronomy BS affects all three of these functions. Without a major program in astronomy, there will be no students to train in the operation of the telescope and no students with sufficient interest or knowledge to support observational research efforts. And without a supply of trained students to help staff the observatory, public viewing sessions at Andreas Observatory are curtailed.

Location

Andreas Observatory is located on the southern edge of the MSU campus approximately 550 yards beyond the Lot #1 gate -- about 150 yards east of Standeford Observatory.

Coordinates of Andreas Observatory:

Longitude: 93^o 59' 49" West
Latitude: 44^o 08' 18" North
Elevation: 990 feet

Equipment and Facilities

Telescopes

The principal telescope at Andreas Observatory is a 0.5-meter (20-inch), f/13.5 Cassegrain telescope, manufactured by DFM Engineering, Inc. of Longmont, Colorado. This computer-controlled telescope has several hundred pre-programmed objects available for easy access during public viewing sessions.

The smaller black scope mounted on the side of the main telescope is the DFM finder scope (a 5-inch, f/9 refractor), which has a wider field of view and is useful in pointing and aligning the main telescope.

Mounted piggyback underneath the main telescope is a Takahashi BRC-250M – a 10-inch, f/5 Baker Ritchey-Chretien telescope that offers wide-field visual and photographic images of the sky.

Instrumentation

Instrumentation at Andreas Observatory includes two SBIG CCD cameras, an SBIG spectrometer, photographic cameras and photometers. These can be attached to the telescopes for use by astronomy majors in their observing courses and for student and faculty research projects.

Observatory Building

The main telescope is housed in an 18.5-foot Ash-Dome; the attached observatory building includes a control room, presentation room, work room, and storage areas.

Public Events

Open House

During COVID open house events have been placed on a temporary hiatus. We expect to host an event at Andreas Observatory in Spring 2023, stay tuned to this website for updates.

Group Tours

Groups wishing to arrange tours of Andreas Observatory should contact Dr. Paul Eskridge at 507-389-1840

Special Events

Special public viewing events at Andreas Observatory are held occasionally during the year, often in conjunction with Standeford Observatory. Targets of these events in the past have included Comet Hale-Bopp, Comet Hyakutake, the Moon, various planets, and other interesting celestial objects. Announcements of special observing events will be made through the local news media, on these webpages, and via the Astronomy programs Instagram account: @mnsu_astronomy.

Parking

Traditionally, visitors were able to park at the South End of Lot #2 but this lot has been transformed into pay parking, so parking here may result in a ticket. To ensure no ticket, please park in the Gold Lot #7 next to Blakeslee Stadium. There will be an approximately 10 minute walk to the observatory from there.

A sign on the gate at the south end of Lot 1 will indicate whether Andreas Observatory is open to the public.