The Rankin Science Observatory at Appalachian State University

The Rankin Science Observatory (RSO),is the instructional facility on the main ASU campus and is used for teaching advanced undergraduate astronomy courses in observational techniques. The building has just had the completion of its construction after demolition of the original structure. The new facility will be used as soon as telescope installatio is completed. . The RSO is next to the rooftop GoTo Lab Facility, used in the Introductory Astronomy course.

Shown at left is the new Observa-Dome on the new building. The dome and 16-inch telescope were provided by a grant from the National Science Foundation. This dome and its telescope are primarily used by students in an advanced course, Observational Astronomy.

Photo at left by ASU Photographer, Mike Rominger.

The newly rebuilt RSO has the DFM Engineering 16-inch telescope, shown at right being installed by astronomers, our machinist, and ASU Physical Plant workers on October 10th. That telescope had been at the Dark Sky Observatory the last two years, during the reconstruction of Rankin Science.

Photo at right by ASU Photographer, Mike Rominger.