Bradley Observatory, Atlanta
Facts and practical information
The Bradley Observatory is an astronomical observatory owned and operated by Agnes Scott College. It is located in Decatur, Georgia, 5 miles east of Atlanta, Georgia,. The observatory's largest telescope, the Beck Telescope, is a vintage 30 inch Cassegrain reflector built in 1930. The mount was built by Warner & Swasey, and the optics were built by Fecker. The telescope was originally owned and operated by an amateur astronomer, Mr. Henry Gibson. He offered the telescope for sale in Popular Astronomy magazine in 1947, seeking to upgrade his own telescope. Agnes Scott purchased it in 1947 for about $15,000 after an offer from the Soviet Union was declined for reasons related to the Cold War. For many years, the Beck telescope was the largest in the Southeast United States, only superseded when the Fernbank Observatory opened in 1972 with its 36-inch telescope. ()
Bradley Observatory – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)
Nearby attractions include: Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, DeKalb County Confederate Monument, Decatur Cemetery.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which popular attractions are close to Bradley Observatory?
How to get to Bradley Observatory by public transport?
Metro
- Decatur • Lines: Blue (17 min walk)
- Avondale • Lines: Blue, Green (25 min walk)
Bus
- Decatur • Lines: 123, 15, 19, Cctma (18 min walk)
- Two Decatur Town Center • Lines: Cctma (21 min walk)