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Seagrave Observatory

Seagrave Observatory is wholly owned and operated by Skyscrapers, Inc. We currently have 4 telescopes in operation. See an aerial view of the observatory. If you have Google Earth installed, you can find Seagrave Observatory by viewing this placemark for the observatory.

Directions to Seagrave Observatory.

8¼" Alvan Clark Telescope

The centerpiece and oldest of the telescopes at Seagrave Observatory, it is also the instrument from which the observatory gets its name--this telescope was the one owned by Frank Evans Seagrave.

Built in 1878 by Alvan Clark & Sons of Cambridgeport, MA, Seagrave used this telescope in his back yard on Benefit Street in Providence. The light pollution problem in Providence became too great and in 1914 Seagrave built the observatory in Scituate. Skyscrapers aquired the observatory containing this telescope in 1936 from the estate of Frank Seagrave.

The unique silo-shaped observatory dome stands today much the same as it did when originally constructed in 1914.
The Clark telescope building as seen looking northwest. This is the original Seagrave Observatory building and appears today much as it did when first built in 1914. Until 1951, when the meeting hall was completed, this was the only building on the observatory grounds.
The 8
The anteroom in the main observatory building houses a small museum of Frank E Seagrave and the observatory.
Operations Manual

12" Patton Telescope

This 12" Newtonian telescope was built by past president Ralph C Patton in the 1920's and is still used frequently during Saturday night programs. It is located in the north half of the double "roll-off roof" observatory located behind the main Seagrave observatory building.
The twin roll-off building houses the 12
The 12
Operations Manual

12" Meade Telescope

Acquired in 1995, this modern computer-controlled telescope allows us to quickly dial up objects for showing on public nights. It also facilitates electronic imaging, which several members are involved in. This telescope is in the south half of the double roll-off roof observatory.
The twin roll-off building houses the 12
The 12

16" Meade Telescope

The newest addition to the observatory, this research-grade telescope will allow us to expand our public and educational programs, including a planned internet observatory project.
The newest observatory building houses the 16
The 16
The 16

Meeting Hall

The meeting hall, sometimes referred to as "the clubhouse", is where we hold our meetings from April through December.
The meeting hall as seen looking west, as you would approach it from the parking area. The Seagrave Observatory Clark telescope building is just off the photo to the right.
Dan Lorraine presides over the July 2004 meeting.