Astronomical Observatories at MSU
by
Dr. James N. Pierce
Emeritus Professor of Astronomy at
Minnesota State University, Mankato
The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Minnesota State University, Mankato operates two observatories on the southern edge of the campus:
Standeford Observatory
Standeford Observatory contains a 14-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, used for visual observations by general education students and other observatory visitors. Several other 10- to 13-inch telescopes are also available for instructional use by students in Astronomy 125.
![](https://faculty.mnsu.edu/jamespierce/wp-content/uploads/sites/147/2024/05/sos3343a.jpg)
Andreas Observatory
Andreas Observatory, located 150 yards east of Standeford Observatory, houses a 20-inch computer-controlled Cassegrain telescope. This instrument, which is equipped with CCD cameras for photometry and spectroscopy, is used primarily for advanced instruction and faculty research.
![](https://faculty.mnsu.edu/jamespierce/wp-content/uploads/sites/147/2024/05/ao3777a.jpg)
Maps to Andreas and Standeford Observatories:
- Low Resolution (2KB GIF)
- Medium Resolution (78KB JPG)
- High Resolution (168KB JPG)