Vanderbilt University has a long and respected tradition in astronomy. Vanderbilt’s first chancellor, Landon Garland, was a professor of physics and astronomy, and many of the university’s original 1875 astronomical instruments and artifacts are housed at the current-day Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory.
Employee Appreciation invites you to enjoy an afternoon at Dyer Observatory and become inspired in science, technology, engineering, math and astronomy. Dyer team members will provide physics experiments and solar telescopes to university employees and their families. Employee Appreciation will provide the snacks and beverages.
Dyer Observatory has four telescope installations, three of which are mounted in domes on top of the observatory and are still actively used for observation. Observe the sun through solar glasses as well as the hydrogen-alpha solar telescope, through which the solar chromosphere, sunspots, prominences and filaments can be viewed. Visit Dyer Observatory’s land sculpture “The Star Chamber,” a walk-in camera obscura (pinhole camera).
Special Events
- 1 p.m. – Owl Encounter
- 2 p.m. – Liquid nitrogen ice cream
- 3 p.m. – Meet Galileo
- Snacks and beverages provided
Activities
- Observatory tour
- Star Chamber tour
- Solar telescope
- Star wheels
- UFO bounce house
The Day at Dyer event is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 10, from noon to 4 p.m. and will feature special events and fun activities for both adults and children.
Employees are encouraged to speak with their manager about utilizing the summer flex schedule, or to use PTO time to attend the event. The Day at Dyer is free to all university employees and their families.
Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory is located at 1000 Oman Drive, Brentwood, TN 37027. Free parking is available. Be sure to bring your Vanderbilt ID.
Download the Day at Dyer flyer to post in your area.
Questions? Contact Human Resources, or visit vu.edu/employeeappreciation.