Talk:Judson B. Coit Observatory

Altitude Error

The altitude given in the data box can't be correct. The observatory is on the roof of a 6-storey building. It has got to be higher than 13 feet. Pzavon 01:00, 8 May 2006 (UTC)

I thought altitude was supposed to be given as the geographic location of the observatory above sea level, the structure upon which it is built notwithstanding. I think it's understood that every observatory is not exactly at the ground level given, but rather is built upon that spot. I'll look into whether or not this is the case, but it's always been my understanding. -Pjorg 23:02, 10 May 2006 (UTC)

I could be off on that. I saw the table, and it looked like a standard presentation developed for use in all articles about observatories. However, I see it is not used in the vast majority.

The actual altitude above sealevel can be an important item of information about an observatory as it implies things about how good or bad the seeing may be in optical and other wavelegnths. Most of the larger observatories are build basically at ground level where they happen to be (often on a mountain top) so the issue of building height does not arise. In the case of one on top of a six-floor building, especially one located in a coastal town, the difference may be important to some.

Where are you going to seek the "supposed to be?"

Pzavon 02:01, 11 May 2006 (UTC)

I haven't figured that out yet.  ;-)

I guess I could just ask someone in the Astronomy department what the "official" altitude of the station is. If anyone knows, they probably do. -Pjorg 05:16, 11 May 2006 (UTC)

Whenever I find altitude it's usually in an info box on their webpage.--Rayc 14:50, 11 May 2006 (UTC)

I looked for an indication of altitude on the Astronomy Department's web pages about the observatory. Didn't find anything. Pzavon 16:40, 11 May 2006 (UTC)