NASHVILLE, Tenn. — For 50 years, Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory has been
a window to the stars and planets for Nashvillians. Vanderbilt
University officials, relatives of the founder and officials of the
companies who contributed to making the observatory a reality will
gather Friday, Dec. 12, to commemorate the facility’s opening in
December 1953.
During most of its years, the observatory was a place of research for
Vanderbilt University astronomy professors and students. Because of
advances in astronomical research that make it possible to access
sophisticated telescopes via the Internet, the observatory has shifted
its emphasis to science education and public outreach. Each year, Dyer
Observatory hosts thousands of visitors through school tours,
observation nights, scout events and other community programs.
"We hear stories from people who have great memories of coming to Dyer
Observatory as children," said Rick Chappell, director at Dyer.
"They’re bringing their grandchildren back now. We want everyone to
know that they’re welcome at Dyer on any of our public nights."
Carl Seyfert, a Vanderbilt University astronomy professor, was
instrumental in the creation of the observatory in the early 1950s.
With initial support and encouragement from Vanderbilt, Seyfert
convinced more than 80 companies and individuals, including Arthur J.
Dyer, president of Nashville Bridge and Barge, to donate materials and
labor to make the observatory a reality. Dyer, the building’s namesake,
provided the observatory’s dome and was its most generous donor.
A plaque honoring the University’s researchers in astronomy and space
exploration will be dedicated Friday at 10:30 a.m. on the Rand Terrace
at the site of the University’s original observatory. The plaque honors
Vanderbilt’s "longstanding tradition of excellence in astronomy,"
including the work of Seyfert and Edward Emerson Barnard, one of
Vanderbilt’s earliest students and a noted astronomer who discovered
several comets and one of the moons of Jupiter. The original campus
observatory, which began operation in 1877, was named for him.
Among those participating in the dedication will be Chancellor Gordon
Gee and two of Seyfert’s children, Gail Seyfert Clayton and Carl
Seyfert Jr. A special gathering of Dyer Observatory contributors will
take place later at the observatory. Those invited include John Lee,
president Rock City Construction, which worked on the structure, and
97-year-old George Morehead, whose firm, Morehead Tree Surgery, cleared
the land for the observatory.
"Vanderbilt scientists and engineers are involved in a broad spectrum
of space activities ranging from ground-based and space-based
astronomy, to satellite measurements of the sun-earth environment, to
human spaceflight research in life science, material science and fluid
dynamics, to advanced studies for future missions to Mars," said
Chappell. "The College of Arts and Science, the School of Engineering
and the Medical Center all conduct space research. One of Dyer
Observatory’s goals is to interest students in these exciting careers
of science and engineering."
Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory is located at 1000 Oman Dr. in Brentwood. More information is available at www.dyer.vanderbilt.edu.
Media contact: Elizabeth Latt, (615) 322-NEWS
elizabeth.p.latt@vanderbilt.edu