This was not taken in Venice, Italy. I mean, it looks as if it might have been, but it is actually a close-up of the architectural detail on the Yerkes Observatory dome for the great 40" refractor. The building was built in 1895-1897 and was designed by Henry Ives Cobb, architect for the University of Chicago. This ornately detailed building is the most beautiful observatory building that I have ever seen. It is just stunning, both outside and inside. Below is a view of the whole building, showing two of the three telescope domes (not counting the plastic observatory on the lawn.) We spent all day here, exploring and photographing, and got to use the 40" refractor for a bit of observing at night. 40" is the diameter of the front element of the telescope, by the way, not its length!
3 comments:
Stunning. So easy to miss the beautiful detail in the long shot. This is a real find.
I was hoping you would shoot this! Better- did you go ALL the way around? Did you see the "bees?"
Sam
The bees were chiseled off the noses, according to the guide. I did photograph the bee-less nose, however!
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