California State University,
San Bernardino Observatory
Modern.
State-of-the-art.
Research-driven.
Sea West constructed an incredible, research-focused observatory for students and faculty at California State University, San Bernardino.
About the observatory
Located on Little Badger Hill sits the Murillo Family Observatory at the California State University of San Bernardino. The observatory achieved first-light in 2012. The project goal was to provide a state-of-the-art research observatory that allowed students and faculty to gain hands-on experience while conducting research along with growing the astronomy program through public outreach programs.
Telescope
PlaneWave Instruments CDK600
and PlaneWave Instruments CDK400
Domes
12′-6″ Ash-Dome
Visual Observing
Astrophotography
Public Outreach
Research
Robotic Observatory
Software Automation
Project Scope
Sea West was awarded the construction contract for the Murillo Family Observatory. Little Badger Hill is located on the north side of campus and initially had no direct access, or utilities. Sea West handled all aspects of construction beginning with site infrastructure. A new road had to be cut in and utilities ran before observatory construction could begin. After construction of the observatory building, the two 12’-6″ Ash-Domes were installed. Shortly after, telescopes were installed into the domes by Observatory Systems. Dome one housed a 20” Ritchey-Chretien telescope and the second dome housed a 12” Meade that would be used for viewing solar flares. Recently in 2022, Observatory Systems upgraded the original telescopes with two new PlaneWave Instruments systems. The upgraded systems included PlaneWave CDK600 and CDK400 observatory packages.
PARTNERS
Sea West partnered with Observatory Systems who performed the observatory automation and telescope installations. Additionally, Sea West worked with HPI Architecture to design the observatory including proper observatory clocking to minimize effects of prevailing winds on the instruments. Greg Staford with Observatory Automation Systems provided dome control system installation.
