About the Adventure

Activity Level 2: Moderate Location: Riverview Park, Pittsburgh Guides: Lindsay-hike lead, Kerry-University of Pittsburgh Observatory Tour We're returning to the beautiful Allegheny Observatory to view Jupiter and Saturn through the 13" refractor! Following a 2.2 mile hike along the wooded trails of Riverview Park, we'll enjoy a private tour of the Allegheny Observatory led by Kerry from the University of Pittsburgh. This is an opportunity exclusively for our Women's Adventure Club community. The Allegheny Observatory is a fascinating destination for anyone interested in astronomy, history, and science. It was established in 1859 and has been at the forefront of astronomical research ever since. Our tour begins with a brief introduction to the history of the observatory and its many achievements in the field of astronomy. We'll have the opportunity to explore the various buildings that make up the observatory complex, including the main observatory dome, the library, and the dome housing the 13" refractor. One of the highlights of the tour is the chance to see the Thaw Refractor, one of the largest and most powerful telescopes in the world. With a 30-inch diameter lens, this telescope was once used to discover the fifth moon of Jupiter, and is still used today for cutting-edge research in astrophysics. If the weather cooperates, Kerry will open up the dome and we'll get look through the 13" refracor to see Jupiter and Saturn in the November sky. So cool! We'll come away with a newfound appreciation for the wonders of the universe and the amazing technology that allows us to study it.