Support Carnegie Astronomy
From
our home on the earth, we look out
into the distances and strive to imagine the
sort of world into which we are born. Today
we have reached far out into space. Our
immediate neighborhood we know rather
intimately. But with increasing distance, our
knowledge fades, and fades rapidly, until at
the last dim horizon we search amongst
ghostly errors of observation for landmarks
that are scarcely more substantial.
The search will continue. The urge is older
than history. It is not satisfied and it will not
be suppressed.
-Edwin Hubble, Carnegie Staff Astronomer
A History of Achievement
For over 100 years the Carnegie Observatories have been a world center of astronomical research. Although relatively small, the Observatories' staff has had a disproportionately large impact on the course of astronomy and continues to lead the search for answers to fundamental questions about the size, structure, and composition of the universe.
George Ellery Hale established the Observatories in Pasadena in 1904 and built the 60" and 100" telescopes on Mount Wilson, each the largest in the world at their completion. It was on these instruments that Carnegie astronomer Edwin Hubble discovered and first described the expanding universe.
In 1969, the focus of Carnegie observations moved to the Las Campanas Observatory, set high in the southern reaches of Chile's Atacama Desert.
Today, Carnegie astronomers study light collected from the clear skies above Las Campanas by the massive Magellan telescopes, twin 6.5-meter mirrors that are among the largest and most efficient reflectors in the world.
Soon, the Giant Magellan Telescope, building on the success of the Magellan project, will open a new window on the universe for the 21st century. This extremely large 24-meter telescope will lead the search for new planets and help explore many of the most pressing mysteries in astrophysics, such as the nature of dark matter and dark energy.
A Tradition of Support
From the early 20th century, when Los Angeles businessman John Hooker donated the funds for the 100" telescope on Mount Wilson, to today, motivated individuals have generously supported the research programs of the Carnegie Observatories. Each gift has contributed to Carnegie's long history of scientific discovery and scholarly achievement.
Those who give to the Observatories enjoy not only reading about new discoveries, but actually helping make them happen. Their priorities are both local and international in scope and encompass:
• the past—such as preserving Carnegie’s rare astronomical library and historic collection of 350,000 glass plate negatives of celestial objects
• the present—such as ensuring that that today’s modern telescopes are equipped with the best, most sensitive instruments and cameras, and
• the future — most notably focused on leading the world in building the next generation of ground-based optical telescopes.
Our benefactors continue Andrew Carnegie’s legacy of private philanthropy in support of scientific discovery for the public good.
Learn More
Contributors to the Carnegie Observatories join a team of outstanding scientists tackling some of the most intriguing and important questions about stars, galaxies, supernovae, black holes, and the distant origins of the universe. The most exciting payoff for all involved comes in finding answers to these questions and making real advances in human understanding.
In addition, all who donate to the Observatories receive:
• E-mailed updates and news releases on
Carnegie’s latest astronomical discoveries
• Invitations to the annual Carnegie Open House, the spring
Astronomy Lecture Series, and other special events
• A subscription to Carnegie Science, the quarterly newsletter
of the Observatories’ parent, the Carnegie Institution of
Washington
If you would like to learn more about making a gift to the Carnegie Observatories, please contact Arnie Phifer, Regional Director of Advancement, at 626-304-0270 or phifer[at]ociw.edu.
