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Windowpane Observatory:
celebrating 22 years of science education
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A Valentine's gift that lasts longer than forever...
Give a galaxy, a beautiful island universe for your beloved.
Packages start at $20. > learn more
Astronomy at Windowpane Observatory
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Astronomy 101
A glossary of astronomy terms, from asteroids to ZAMS.
Ask the Astronomer
Astronomer Bill answers your questions. Dozens of astronomy Q&A's.
Astronomical Tales
Why didn't Einstein receive the Nobel Prize for the Theory of Relativity? What's constant about the Hubble Constant? Why did a professional musician name galaxy catalog numbers still in use today? Many more...
Astronomy Pictures
See some of NASA's most stunning pictures taken from the Hubble Space Telescope.
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About Windowpane Observatory
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Windowpane Observatory (WPO) is so named after the forty-eight inch square viewing glass through which astronomers can observe the sky in year-round comfort. Looking through this window to the universe is an eighteen inch short-focus reflecting telescope. WPO is engaged in the astronomical science of discovery. We are searching for comets, supernovae, and earth-crossing asteroids. WPO is a visual observatory contributing to fundamental astronomical science in the tradition of Galileo and Isaac Newton. In fact, our reflecting telescope is called a Newtonian.
WPO is located in the heart of the Sonoran Desert at the gateway to the Organ Pipe National Monument. This area of the United States is part of a protected United Nations Biosphere. The pristine Sonoran Desert contains many rare plants and animals peculiar only to this area. With it's extremely dry climate and clear nights this site is darker than the United States' National Astronomical Facility at Kitt Peak.
Most observatories can only be visited during the day when astronomers are not working. WPO can be visited at night and the general public is invited to join us in a voyage of discovery. The modest fee charged for this adventure helps to fund the basic science conducted at WPO.
Windowpane Observatory is located in Ajo, Arizona. Ajo is two hours from Phoenix, two and a half hours from Tucson, thirty minutes from Organ Pipe National Monument, and ninety minutes from the emerald waters and sandy beaches of the Sea of Cortez.
Windowpane Observatory is a proud member of and contributor to optical astronomy via the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO) and the European Southern Observatory (ESO)
If you would like to join us at Windowpane Observatory separate and apart from the activities mentioned on these Web pages please contact us at astronomy@wpo.net for observatory and astronomer-guided tour information.
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Telescope Reviews
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WPO Looks at Celestron Telescopes
Personal experiences of the Celestron line of telescopes, told by the astronomer who worked alongside Clyde Tombaugh, discoverer of Pluto.
Review: Orion Telescopes
Our chief astronomer looks at how Orion Telescopes has established itself as the preeminent source for amateur astronomers whether it's telescopes, binoculars, telescope accessories or lenses for your telescope.
The Orion Intelliscope Unveiled!
Our astronomers test-fly the Orion Intelliscope system - digital setting circles for folks who like to own or build large telescopes but really don't know their way around the sky.
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