CLEVELAND — Telescopes made in Cleveland more than 100 years ago continue to leave a lasting mark on modern astrology in Northeast Ohio.
The Warner and Swasey Company, a factory abandoned for decades. But the precision instruments built here, including telescopes are still in operation to this day. Worcester Warner and Ambrose Swasey were not only business partners, but next-door neighbors too. And in between their homes a share observatory.
"This is the one that Mr. Warner and Mr. Swasey had in their backyards," states Associate Astronomer, Charles Knox of CASE Western Reserve University, pointing behind him.
Today that telescope’s home is the CASE Western Reserve University campus. You’ll find even more Cleveland made Warner Swasey telescope on Ohio college campuses like, Baldwin Wallace University, Denison University, Hiram College, University of Mount Union, The Ohio State University and University of Toledo.
And museums, such as the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Its observatory is due to reopen, next year. Astronomer Charles Knox has worked with many of these telescopes, and says they’re desired, even those more than 100 years old.
"Their mechanical cleverness and their precision with which they put these together. They work," said Knox.
In 1919, that backyard telescope along with others, were housed at the Warner Swasey Observatory in East Cleveland, now left abandoned. But when in use, a second dome was added, and larger Warner Swasey telescopes constructed. A 36-inch telescope, referring to the size of the mirror, was built to study stars using spectroscopy, studying star by the light they emit.
"Its design was to accommodate the bright lights of the city,” said Knox. “Instead of looking at a big field of stars to do survey work, you pick out one to look at and examine it more closely.”
But encroaching light pollution forced the closing of the observatory. The 36-inch telescope was acquired, moved and restored by Observatory Park in Montville, Geauga County. And thanks to the Chagrin Valley Astronomical Society once a month it is open to the public.
"This is the largest telescope in Ohio that you can use for public viewing,” said Martin Mullet, a Chagrin Valley Astronomical Society member. “For the public to look through a telescope of this size is a rare opportunity."
Though not made from star gazing, some modern telescopes at Observatory Park offer a better view. But it’s still worth taking in.
"The wonder of the night sky. Everything that's up there, all the nebula, all the clusters, all the galaxies, how easily and relatively inexpensively you can view that in your backyard.” Said Mullet.
The passion two business partners had for astronomy, has left their mark on what we know about the sky above us.
"A lot of work was done on Warner Swasey telescopes, important work,” remarked Knox. “They were a big part of early 20th century astronomy."
The Chagrin Valley Astronomical Society hold viewing events every third Saturday of the month throughout the year, at Nassau Station in Observatory Park, weather permitting.
Baldwin Wallace will have a lecture and viewing event on September 23rd if you want to check out a Warner Swasey telescope out for yourself.
The observatory’s featured in this story were:
The CWRU Rooftop Telescope at CASE Western Reserve University
Burrell Observatory at Baldwin Wallace University
The Ralph Mueller Observatory at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Nassau Astronomical Observing Station at Observatory Park