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Professor Hazel Marie Losh on the Observer's Chair at the University Observatory. Hazel Marie Losh Papers, Box 2, Folder: "Photographs-Personal-Adult"

Stargazing: 150 Years of Astronomy at the Universityof Michigan

INTRODUCTIONThis exhibit was designed and executed as a companion piece to aphysical exhibit of the same topic.

While the physical and online exhibits differ slightly in content, thegoal of both exhibits is to provide contextual history for the DetroitObservatory, offer an overview of astronomy instruction at theUniversity of Michigan, as well as highlight notable or exceptionalfaculty members. It also aims to share an awareness with the viewerof the ways in which astronomical instruction and observations haveevolved over time.This exhibit was arranged in six sections:

Astronomy InstructionFaculty ProfilesAstronomy Department HistoryObservatory Origins and HistoryExpeditionsResources for Further Research

Astronomy Instruction covers the tools and techniques used toeducate a new generation of astronomers, and addresses the specificcontributions of key faculty members. The goal of the AstronomyDepartment was to produce Michigan-educated astronomers and thisexhibit section will address how the department went about thebusiness of "raising up native astronomers."

Astronomy DepartmentHistory will examine thedevelopment of the astronomydepartment from its earliestdays until more recently. Onefocal point of this exhibit

TABLE OF CONTENTSIntroductionAstronomy InstructionFaculty ProfilesAstronomy Department

HistoryObservatory Origins and

HistoryExpeditionsResources for Further

Research

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The front of a planisphere. Designed byMichael H. Harrington, Director of theUniversity Observatory, around 1890. Itis a star chart that can be adjusted to display the visible stars for any time and date between 1891 and 1901. Observatory Papers, Box 7, Folder:"Planisphere".

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section is the partnerships inwhich the University of Michiganastronomy departmentparticipates.Faculty Profiles highlight thecareers and biographies ofparticularly notable facultymembers, educators andresearchers that left an indeliblemark on the study of astronomyhere in Ann Arbor. This sectionis by no means comprehensiveand an omission does notindicate that a faculty memberis unworthy of mention. Rather,

the individuals whose profiles are included here were involved in thefounding of the department, or conducted extensive researchprojects, or lived a remarkably unusual life, or were exceptionaleducators.Observatory Origins and History details the reasons that UniversityPresident Tappan was so tirelessly dedicated to constructing anobservatory in Ann Arbor. This exhibit section also addresses thedisadvantages of climate and discusses the history of theobservatory's location.Expeditions describe the many observing expeditions that Universityof Michigan astronomy faculty made during their tenure. Mostexpeditions are fairly well-documented with photographs, and we haveincluded a sampling of expedition photographs. Michigan astronomyfaculty ranged as far as South Africa, Sumatra, and Egypt, and asnear as Canada, Maine, and Nevada. Expeditions were frequentlysummer endeavors, as it could take several weeks to ready camp andequipment for a party of astronomers.Finally, Resources for Further Research provides researchers withadditional manuscript collections and secondary materials with whichto continue research about the University of Michigan AstronomyDepartment and the Detroit Observatory. Where available, a link to thelocation of the electronic finding aid is provided.Please enjoy your visit to Stargazing: 150 Years of Astronomy at theUniversity of Michigan.

This exhibit was created in February 2009 by Bentley Library graduateassistants Dominique Daniel, Rachael Dreyer, and Shannon Wait,University of Michigan School of Information.

1150 Beal Avenue Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2113 U.S.A. | 734.764.3482 | Fax: 734.936.1333 Reference: bentley.ref@umich.edu | Webmaster: bhlwebmaster@umich.edu

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A page from a typical examination in the early 1950s. Hazel Marie Losh Papers, Box 1, Folder: "Student papers"

"Star Gazing": 150 years of astronomy at theUniversity of Michigan

INSTRUCTIONAstronomy was first listed as a separate subject in the University ofMichigan catalogue in the year 1844-1845. It was taught by GeorgePalmer Williams, Professor of Mathematics and one of only two facultymembers at that time. But it was President Tappan's administrationthat gave astronomical studies a decisive impetus in 1853, as theconstruction of the Observatory began and astronomical instrumentswere ordered in New York and Berlin.

President Tappan's vision forhigher education was tointegrate the scholarly, classicalcourse of study with an appliedscientific program. Astronomywas one of his priorities. FranzFriedrich Ernst Brünnow, theDirector of the new Observatoryand Professor of Astronomychosen by Tappan, started tobuild up an astronomy curriculumcombining theory and practice.The possibility of practicaltraining with the instruments setapart the University of Michiganfrom other American universitieswith comparable astronomicalequipment.Although the reputation of theUniversity's astronomy curriculumquickly spread, enrollment was

not large. Few changes were made to the curriculum until 1878-1879,when physics and mathematics were made prerequisites and the orderin which astronomy courses might be taken was designated. One ofBrünnow's earliest and most brilliant students was James CraigWatson, who obtained the bachelor's degree at the age of 19 and themaster's degree 2 years later, one of the first two master's degreesthat the University granted on examination. He assisted Brünnow atthe Observatory and took his place as Director when Brünnow returnedto Germany in 1863.Watson was an excellent lecturer who could synthesize the literatureand express complex problems in a clear way. President Angell held himin high regard: "In teaching he had none of the methods of the drillmaster. But his lecture or his talk was so stimulating that one couldnot but learn and love to learn by listening. Sometimes whilediscussing an intricate problem he would suddenly have an entirelynew demonstration flash upon his mind as by inspiration and then andthere he would write it out upon the blackboard."(quoted inEncyclopedic Survey, p.453)However, he gave his attention

TABLE OF CONTENTSIntroductionAstronomy InstructionFaculty ProfilesAstronomy Department

HistoryObservatory Origins and

HistoryExpeditionsResources for Further

Research

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Scale adopted for marking, n.d.Observatory Records, Box 7, Folder: "Astronomy Department - Coursematerials, 1907-1927". C lick for larger

Typical observation exercises, circa 1924. Observatory Records, Box 7,Folder "Astronomy Department- Coursematerials, 1907-1927". C lick for larger

Professor Losh during an astronomy class, n.d.

However, he gave his attentionmostly to those students whoshowed particular skill and interestin astronomy, and he was knownfor his lack of interest inexaminations. Rumor has it that hepassed an entire class on finalexamination, including one memberwho had died shortly afterenrollment! (Encyclopedic Survey,p.453) While students could usesome astronomical instruments,they frequently complained aboutlack of access to the big 12-inchtelescope in the Observatory.Watson's successor after 1879,Mark. W. Harrington, gavestudents access to moreastronomic instruments. Teachingwas further expanded under thedirectorship of William JosephHussey in the 1905-1926 period.Ralph Hamilton Curtiss was recruited as Assistant Professor ofAstronomy in 1907 and new courses were added, including inastrophysics and other courses in modern astronomy. The doctoralprogram was created. The number of students enrolled in astronomycourses grew dramatically, reaching 650 in 1922-1923. The quality ofthe facilities and of higher courses attracted brilliant graduatestudents, and eleven persons obtained PhD's in astronomy between1915 and 1926, including Hazel Marie Losh, Will Carl Rufus, and RichardA. Rossiter who later joined the Astronomy department.

In those days, astronomystudents had to be versed in thehistory of astronomy,mathematics and physics,astronomical theory as well aspractice. They had to produceessays, answer multiple choicequestions and record observationresults. A detailed and precisemind and superior penmanshipwere required of would-beastronomers.With the increase in enrollment,the Observatory provedinsufficient to provide practicalexperience to all students. In thelate 1870s a small separatebuilding about 100 feet awayfrom the main Observatory hadbeen set up for use by students,with a six-inch equatorialrefractor and a three-inch

transit, with zenith telescope attachment. In 1908 the Students'Observatory was moved to a location about 300 feet west of the mainbuilding and its equipment upgraded. But after 1923 it had to beremoved from the site of Couzens Hall.To make up for the loss, plans were made to equip Angell Hall with anew Student Observatory and laboratory, with the upper floor entirelydevoted to astronomy. The Angell Hall Observatory was ready in 1926-1927. Observation and Laboratory requirements in the curriculum wereincreased, and enrolment reached about 900 in 1930-1931. AfterWorld War II, the number of undergraduates shot up again.

One of the iconic figuresof astronomy at theUniversity of Michiganwas Hazel Marie Losh,who first came to theUniversity of Michigan in1921 and was part ofthe astronomy facultyuntil she retired in 1968.Affectionately called"Doc" by her students,she was named "forever" honoraryHomecoming Queen.

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Professor Losh during an astronomy class, n.d.Hazel Marie Losh Papers, Box 2, Folder "Personal"

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In 1963 the Departmentof Astronomy was movedto the new Dennison

Building on Central Campus in 1963. Today the Department has severalfacilities, including the Angell Hall Planetarium and the Angell HallStudent Observatory, located on the roof of the Angell Hall classroombuilding. The Angell Hall Planetarium has a projector that can displaythe sky as seen at any location on the Earth at any time.

This departmental history section of the exhibit was created February2009 by graduate student assistant Dominique Daniel, University ofMichigan School of Information.

1150 Beal Avenue Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2113 U.S.A. | 734.764.3482 | Fax: 734.936.1333 Reference: bentley.ref@umich.edu | Webmaster: bhlwebmaster@umich.edu

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Franz F. Brünnow, Michigan's firstObservatory Director and full-timeastronomy faculty member. From UM Facultyand Staff Portrait Series, Box 1.

James Craig Watson. From James C .Watson Papers, Box 1.

Stargazing: 150 Years of Astronomy at the Universityof Michigan

FACULTY PROFILESFranz F. Brünnow The first director of the Detroit Observatory, Brünnow was recruitedby Tappan after the Regents' first two choices for Director declinedthe position. Brünnow had been working at the Berlin Observatory atthe time he was approached by Henry Philip Tappan about Directorateof the Detroit Observatory.Three years after his arrivalin Ann Arbor, Brünnowmarried Rebecca Tappan,Henry Philip Tappan'sdaughter in 1857. Brünnowserved as Director of theObservatory from 1854 until1863, when the Brünnowsand Tappans permanentlyresettled in Europe. Tappanhad been dismissed asPresident of the Universityand Brünnow subsequentlyresigned his post at theObservatory.After leaving Ann Arbor forEurope, Brünnow assumed aposition at DunsinkObservatory near Dublin,Ireland.

James Craig WatsonFollowing Brünnow's departure fromthe University, James C. Watsonassumed the directorship of theObservatory. Watson had beenviewed as something of a genius forhis mathematical abilities. Some ofhis students might have said thathe was as portly as he wastalented; his girth was a frequenttarget of students' mockery.During his directorship, studentscomplained of "considerable troublein obtaining tickets of entrance andstill greater difficulty in gaining thedesired admission . . . So long asthe University advertises to allowadmission to the Observatory, itmight be well to make the means ofgaining this entrance a little morepractical" (University Chronicle,February 1, 1868).

TABLE OF CONTENTSIntroductionAstronomy InstructionFaculty ProfilesAstronomy Department

HistoryObservatory Origins and

HistoryExpeditionsResources for Further

Research

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A coveted admission ticket to the Detroit Observatory.From the Observatories Vertical File.

Mark W. Harrington.From UM Faculty and StaffPortrait Series, Box 2.

Watson publicly made admission tickets available, but in practice wasreluctant to let the public enter the Observatory for viewings, likelybecause public tours diverted time away from his observational work.Watson left the Observatory in 1879 for a position at the newlyfounded Washburn Observatory at the University of Wisconsin. Whileoverseeing construction work of his new home in 1880, he fell ill anddied shortly after. In his funeral memorial address, University PresidentFrieze expressed, "The University is in mourning. She has lost theforemost and brightest of her sons. This community, this State, thewhole world of science mourns his loss. A great light has gone outforever. Professor Watson is dead!" 1

Mark Walrod Harrington An interesting figure indeed, Mark Harrington served as director of theObservatory for twelve years, from 1879-1891.Students appreciated his accessibleteaching style, and he advocated fornew student observing equipment, aswell as additional classroom space.Harrington published articles onbotanical subjects and a plantidentification guide; he'd previouslyheld professorial appointments inbotany, zoology, and geology. Likemost other University of Michiganprofessors, Harrington was welltraveled. Before assuming thedirectorship, Harrington participatedin geological surveys in Alaska. Later,while an astronomy professor andObservatory director, had spent oneyear (1876) of study in Leipzig,Germany, with an addition year(1877) teaching astronomy andmathematics in Beijing, China.

In 1891, Harrington left Ann Arbor tobecome Chief of the National WeatherBureau, a post he held for three subsequent years. His experience atthe Weather Bureau soured; he proved to be a poor manager when incharge of non- scientists and non-academics. The situation becameso unbearable that Harrington was removed from duty. In retrospect,it was likely during his time at the Weather Bureau when his mentalillness moved from a latent to more active state. Harrington thenmoved to Seattle to assume the presidency for the TerritorialUniversity of Washington (Washington did not become a state until1889). The political climate at the University was turbulent andHarrington experienced leadership difficulties. He resigned his post twoyears later. After several intervening years, Harrington re-entered theWeather Bureau for one year (1898-1899), before retiring due to poorhealth. One day, he wandered away from home, saying that he wasgoing out for dinner, and that was the last any of his family saw of himuntil 1908. He had no recollection of his name or history when heapplied for shelter at a police station in Newark, NJ in 1907. During hisabsence, he worked menial jobs in China, Washington State, Louisiana,but perhaps other places as well. Some speculate that Harringtonreturned to places where he had previously worked. ThoughHarrington's family located him in an asylum, his mental state neverimproved to the point where he could return home and resume hisduties. He died in 1926 at the New Jersey State Hospital at MorrisPlains. In a letter about Harrington the Hospital Medical Director wrote,"In regard to your inquiry of recent date concerning Prof. Mark W.Harrington, I will say that there has not been any apparent change inhis mental condition during the last two years. He will not recognize

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W.J. Hussey (seated furthest left; Mrs. Ethel Husseyis the frontmost seated woman) with astronomy colleagues.From Hussey Family Papers, Box 10.

William Hussey's Sketches of Mars' Surface.From Observatory Records, Box 16.

Mariner 69 Satellite Image of Mars, 1969.From AURA Records, Box 16.

his former identity or give any information concerning his previoushistory and experience. He claims to have undergone a completemetamorphosis in his personality and insists that his legal name is JohnDoe. If you desire to communicate with him you might address him asJohn Doe #8, Greystone Park, NJ." 2

Harrington's case is clearly one of the most sensational facultyhistories in the department--his situation was widely covered by thenewspapers of the day.William J. HusseyAfterHarrington leftAnn Arbor,W.J. Husseyserved asacting directorof theObservatory,until AsaphHall, Jr.assumed thepositionofficially.Hussey left totake aprofessorshipat StanfordUniversity,where hetaught andwas able toconductobservations at the Lick Observatory. During the summer of 1892,Hussey created painstaking charcoal drawings of Mars' surface; thesame images would be captured by a Mariner satellite not quite 100years later. Thesimilarities betweenHussey's sketches andthe satellite imagesare striking; oneinstantly recognizesthat both depict thesame celestial object.Hussey wasparticularly interestedin studying asteroidpairs in the early1900s. Husseyfrequently participatedin eclipse expeditions,both in North Americanand abroad.Additionally, hetraveled to Egypt,Argentina, and SouthAfrica to supervise theerecting of new

observatories.From 1910 toabout 1915,Hussey had adualappointment atthe Observatoryin Ann Arbor andat the La PlataObservatory atthe NationalUniversity inArgentina. Of histrip toBloemfontein,

South Africa, Hussey wrote, "The Cape Observatory is well equipped and as we have known formany years, it has done excellent work. Its location is not favorable.It is about three or four miles from the center of Cape Town, and noton high ground, but almost down to sea level. Right back of CapeTown Table Mountain rises to an elevation of more than 3500 feet, Ithink the highest point is 3558 feet above the sea. But it would not be

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The reverse of this photo reads, all in capital letters,"YOU MAY WANT THIS." From Observatory Records, Box 16.

McMath-Hulbert Observatory, Lake Angelus, MI, ca. 1950.From UM Photographs Vertical File.

a good place for an Observatory, on account of its being soconstantly covered with cloud. The cloud forms about its summit onone side, and flows over it and dissolves on the other side, keepingthe top covered to a much greater proportion of the time than thesurrounding country."3

Hussey had long wanted to establish a University of Michiganobservatory in the southern hemisphere; one wonders if Hussey's tripto South Africa had as much to do with helping to establish theBloemfontein Observatory as it did with scouting out a site for a futureMichigan-owned and operated observatory.

Under Hussey's direction, the Astronomy department added newclassrooms and a students' observatory in 1908.Hussey alsodeveloped thecurriculum aswell, offering abroader rangeof coursesthan hadpreviously beenavailable.

Hussey diedabruptly inLondon enroute to SouthAfrica in Fall1926, hisdream of asouthernhemisphere observing facility nearing actualization. On November 18,1926, "at 3:15 p.m. the box containing Prof. Hussey's crematedremains was brought to his office, which he left just six weeks beforealmost to the minute."4 Hussey's ashes were interred at Forest HillCemetery in 1929 alongside his fist wife, Ethel.Robert R. McMath McMath, director of the McMath-Hulbert Observatoryoperated bythe Universityof Michigannear Pontiac,MI, was bornMay 11, 1891in Detroit.

Francis C.McMath,Robert's father,and Henry S.Hulbert werethe namesakesfor the McMathHulbertObservatory.Earning hisBachelor of

Science in Civil Engineeringin 1913, his early careerwas spent designingbridges, as an ArmyEngineer in the Air Service,in real estate development,and in managerial positionsfor the Detroit-area MotorsMetal Manufacturing.In 1928, he directed hisenergies to astronomy,having been a devotedamateur astronomer whileworking in the industrialsector. He spent the nextdecade as Director of theMcMath-HulbertObservatory at LakeAngelus, near Pontiac. In1939, McMath returned tohis industrial origins,

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Robert R. McMath, amateur astronomer,professional industrialist.From UM Detroit Observatory Records, Box 17.

H.D. Curtis. From UM Facultyand Staff Portrait Series, Box 1.

serving as Chairman of theBoard of Directors forMotors MetalManufacturing, the

company where he'd earlier risen from general manager to presidentand director. Concurrently, he also continued his directorship of theMcMath-Hulbert Observatory. McMath, though not conventionallytrained, became a widely known, widely published professionalastronomer, and he did so almost exclusively within the state ofMichigan. His membership in over 20 professional societies put him incontact with many of the great scientific minds from the periodbetween the World Wars. As his publication record 5indicates, McMathwas particularly interested in solar prominences, sunspots, and in thestudy of motion picture capture of solar phenomena.During World War II, McMath participated in army research, developingpneumatic artillery triggers, aerial photography, and precisiontelescopes, among other products. In the late 1950s, he alsoparticipated in navy weapons research. As the years went by, McMathstopped publishing articles on astronomical topics, turning instead tohis other talents.The following excerpts from a letter to Robert McMath from the Boardof Regents highlights his contributions to astronomy at the Universityof Michigan and the field in general, as well as the obstacles he facedas a self-trained, amateur astronomer."Whereas, Dr. Robert R. McMath, devoted friend of The University ofMichigan from the time he earned the B.C.E degree in 1913, is aboutto relinquish his active role as Professor of Astronomy; . . . whereas,the many gifts which Robert R. McMath has presented to theUniversity have added great stature and genuine character to theUniversity's program in astronomy; and whereas, Robert R. McMath,the amateur astronomer of the early thirties was eclipsed by theprofessional astronomer and authority of today who has become thehighly productive scholar in the fields of solar astronomy and infraredspectroscopy; and whereas he is widely recognized for hisauthoritative studies in continuous records of celestial phenomena bymotion picture methods and for his studies in the design andconstruction of telescopes" 6

The letter goes on to thank McMath for his contributions towardestablishing the Kitt Peak National Observatory near Tucson, AZ andexpresses gratitude and best wishes for the future.

Heber Doust Curtis Heber D. Curtis, was affectionately referred to as HDCby his colleagues, traveledextensively, both internationally anddomestically, to observe eclipses, oneof his research specialties. Curtisundertook much of the planning foreclipse expeditions during his tenureat Michigan as director of theUniversity of Michigan Observatories,encompassing more than just theDetroit Observatory. Of the August1932 eclipse expedition to Freyburg,Maine, Curtis wrote to his son,Baldwin in December 1931 that "I am beginning to make plans for theeclipse of August 31st next, to belocated at Freyburg, Maine, the sametown as chosen by the Lick party. . .You and I, according to presentplans, will get there about August1st, to start the camp. Am looking fora volunteer to take charge of the 40-foot which Aitken is loaning us. The

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Equipment used for elipse expedition, Fryeburg, Maine. A 40-foot portable telescope is depicted in this image.

Fryeburg Expedition Log ofobserving and camp activities.From Heber D. Curtis Papers,Box 1. C lick for larger image.

Professor Hazel Marie Losh in the observer's chair inside the dome of the Detroit Observatory.From Hazel Marie Losh Papers, Box 2.

one in charge will not see the eclipse, except a few seconds by liftingup a flap. You may be the goat in charge of this." 7

Curtis had begun his career at theLick Observatory in California and sowould have been particularlyinterested in the prospect ofobserving again with formercolleagues. A detailed log of eclipsecamp preparation and observingactivities was kept from thisexpedition.Hazel Marie LoshOne of the most popular astronomyprofessors in the history of thedepartment, Hazel M. Losh taught atthe University from 1928 until herretirement in 1969.Rumor has it--though it is based onhearsay--that Losh had a uniquegrading scale: "A for Athletes B for Boys C for Co-eds."

One former student, having got windof accusations against ProfessorLosh, signed asupportive letter toher in the followingway: "No athlete, I: Iremain today as Iwas then, a spindly,phthisic, ill-coordinated, non-competitivephilosopher, whonever quite saw norunderstood what wasgoing on in the greatgreen field of aSaturday afternoon,and who is forever,this disabilitynotwithstanding,your most respectfuland admiringstudent." 9

A fervent Wolverinefan, Losh attendhome games andtraveled to BowlGames to supportMichigan,

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Professor Hazel Marie Losh on the football fieldwith Michigan Letterman, Hazel M. Losh Papers, Box 2.

Seibert S. Sproull's History of Astronomy in Verse, 1949. From Hazel M. LoshPapers, Box 1.

but football wasn'ther only love; shecheered onhockey, basketball,and baseball teamsas well. In a 1976interview withThomas Slavens,the 78-year oldLosh attempted todescribe heraffinity withcollegiateathletics, saying"athletics has beena great avocation,I guess you'd say,a hobby, orsomething-- it's so different from astronomy. Of course, astronomy isthe reason I'm here. And it was my first reason for being here and thething I've liked from the time I was a child. But still, you can't justhave astronomy all the time. . . 9"

A colorful character, Losh tried to instill in students a sense ofenthusiasm for astronomy. One of the ways in which she did this wasto assign a paper on the history of astronomy, to be written in verse.Several other examples survive and can be found in the Hazel M. Loshpapers.Losh's greatest contribution to the University consisted of hereducational legacy. In a 1970 letter, Losh wrote, "I estimate that Ihave taught 50,000 students during my 42 years on the staff at theUniversity of Michigan (a guess, but I think a conservative one)." 10

Losh so enjoyed teaching that she retired unwillingly--she hadoriginally been slated to retire in 1968, but arranged to remain onactive faculty status until she finally accepted her retirement in 1969.

1. Memorial addresses delivered in University Hall, November 26, 1880, at thefuneral of James Craig Watson. (1882), p. 5, Bentley Historical Library,University of Michigan.

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2. Medical Director to H.S. Jewett, 27 March 1914. Mark W. Harrington NecrologySupplemental File, Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan.

3. William J. Hussey to Colliau, 3 December 1923. Hussey Family Papers, Box 2."Correspondence: 1923, July-December." Bentley Historical Library, University ofMichigan.

4. Observatory Notes. University of Michigan Observatory Records, Box 8."Records, 1921-1966." Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan.

5. Robert Raynolds McMath. Robert R. McMath Papers, Box 1. "Vitae, dossiers,bibliography (1)." Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan.

6. Letter to McMath from the Board of Regents, 21 June, 1961. Robert R.McMath Papers, Box 1. "Vitae, dossiers, bibliography (2)." Bentley HistoricalLibrary, University of Michigan.

7. Letter to 'Binks' Curtis from Heber Doust Curtis, 7 December, 1931. HeberDoust Curtis Papers, Box 1. "Correspondence, 1931." Bentley Historical Library,University of Michigan.

8. Letter to Cavendar from Losh, 27 October 1970, Hazel Marie Losh Papers,Box 1. "Biographical Material." Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan.

9. Letter to Professor Losh from Harold Walsh, n.d., Hazel Marie Losh Papers,Box 1. "Correspondence, Undated and 1921-1923." Bentley Historical Library,University of Michigan.

10. Slavens, Thomas. Interview with Dr. Hazel Losh, 1976, Hazel Marie LoshPapers, Box 1. "Correspondence, Undated and 1921-1923." Bentley HistoricalLibrary, University of Michigan.

This Faculty Profiles page was created February 2009 by BentleyLibrary graduate student assistant Rachael Dreyer, University ofMichigan School of Information.

1150 Beal Avenue Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2113 U.S.A. | 734.764.3482 | Fax: 734.936.1333 Reference: bentley.ref@umich.edu | Webmaster: bhlwebmaster@umich.edu

Copyright 2009 The Regents of the University of MichiganLast modified: December 23, 2008 4:31:54 PM EST.

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University of Michigan Course Catalog, 1843-1844. C lick here for larger.

Henry Fitz refracting telescope in dome of UM DetroitObservatory,ca. 1870. From UM Photographs Vertical File.

Stargazing: 150 Years of Astronomy at the Universityof Michigan

HISTORY OF THE ASTRONOMY DEPARTMENTThe University of Michigan Astronomy Department dates from the earlyyears of the University. The 1843 General Catalog lists Astronomy as ajunior-year, third-term course, taught with Denison Olmstead's(astronomer teaching at Yale) Astronomy text.Looking at thecourseofferings forthe 1843-44academic year,it becomesclear that evenbefore aninstructor washired to teachthe subject,the course wasoffered, anindication ofthecontemporaryscientificimportanceplaced on the studyof astronomy.Earlyastronomycourse focusedheavily onmathematicalcalculations,but as thedepartmentconstructedtheobservatoryand acquiredobservingequipment, andlater in 1908,with theconstruction of additional classroom and student observatory space,students were expected to perform observations.In a letter to the Board of Regents, Mark W. Harrington, director ofthe Observatory from 1879-1891, detailed equipment needed toprovide students with adequate astronomy instruction:

"an equatorial with a 6 inch object glass, cost $1800a transit instrument with 3 inch object glass, cost $1000 a chronometer required for use with instruments, cost $250 Total probable cost $3050. These are the instruments planned bymy predecessors and suitable for the instruction required."1

The AstronomyDepartmentcontinues tomap out andcontributewhat is knownabout theuniverse. TheAstronomy

TABLE OF CONTENTSIntroductionAstronomy InstructionFaculty ProfilesAstronomy Department

HistoryObservatory Origins and

HistoryExpeditionsResources for Further

Research

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Dennison Hall was built in 1963 as the departmental home ofphysics and astronomy. From UM Photographs Vertical File.

Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in winter,Las Campanas, Chile.From AURA Records, Box 16.

Solar observatory at Kitt Peak National Observatory, an hourawayfrom Tucson, AZ. From AURA Records, Box 16.

departmentconductsresearch in thefollowingareas:computationalastrophysics,cosmology (theorigins of theuniverse),extragalactic (the study of objects outside of our galaxy), extremeastrophysics (the study of galactic extremes that can't be modeled onEarth), instrumentation (the design and construction of observationalequipment), star and planet formation, and stellar populations (groupsof stars sharing some kind of similarity). To learn more about currentprojects at the UM Astronomy Department, please visit their Researchpage.

Currently, the astronomy department operates several localobservation sites: telescopes and an observatory in Angell Hall and adark-skies observing site and radio telescope at Peach Mountain inDexter, MI. The department also participates in partnerships that allowstudents and faculty to use high-powered visual telescopes ingeographic regions and climates that are more conducive to visualobservations. The University of Michigan participates with the KittPeakNationalObservatoryand theMagellanProject, aconsortium ofacademicinstitutionsthat operatetelescopes atan observatorysite in LasCampanas,Chile. Also inthe vicinity ofnorthern Chileis anobservatoryoperated asthe Cerro-Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO), which ismanaged by the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO).Cerro-Tololo is one of the observatory sites supervised by theAssociation of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA), whichmanages NOAO. Cerro-Tololo is the current home for a former Michigantelescope: the Curtis-Schmidt telescope from the University ofMichigan's Portage Lake Observatory was relocated to the Cerro-Tololo site in 1966. ThePortage Lake facility, afew miles southwest ofPinckney, MI, was

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Portage Lake Observatory, 1949From UM Photographs Vertical File.

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completed in 1950.Although located at adistance from the lightpollution of growing AnnArbor, Portage Lake stillhad to contend with ahumid and freqentlyovercast Michiganclimate.

Industrial pollution andcloudy, humid weathermake Michigan a difficultarea in which to performastronomicalobservations thatrequire high visibility.However, climate andlight pollution donotnegatively impact radio telescopes, which the department operatesat Angell Hall, as well as Peach Mountain. The Angell Hall radiotelescope was constructed in 2001, and is a smaller instrument,measuring approximatelyseven feet in diameter. In contrast, the PeachMountain radio telescope dates from 1958, and is a larger instrument,85 feet in diameter. Michigan astronomers have clearly made the mostof the limitations of their location.Starting with no dedicated faculty member in 1843, only a coursetextbook, the UM Astronomy department has grown to encompass 16faculty members, in addition to professors from other departments whoteach related courses such as physics. Henry Philip Tappan's visionsand efforts to establish a pre-eminent astronomy department andobservatory appear to have been prophetic.

1. Mark W. Harrinton to the University of MichiganBoard of Regents, n.d.Observatory Records, Box 7, "Communication tothe Board of Regents." BentleyHistorical Library, University ofMichigan.

This departmental history section of the exhibit was created February2009 by Bentley Library graduate student assistant Rachael Dreyer,University of Michigan School of Information.

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President Henry Philip Tappan,1860. From Tappan papers, Box 1.

Detroit Observatory, 1870. From University ofMichigan vertical file (call number: UBimus D13).

From the William Reid papers

The Origins of the Detroit ObservatoryHenry Philip Tappan became the firstpresident of the University ofMichigan in 1852. In December of thatyear, in the same month as hisinauguration, he began raising fundsfor an astronomical observatory to bebuilt on University grounds. Alongwith his friend and ally, railroad-manHenry Walker, he met with donors andorganized fundraising meetings. Thefirst of such meetings was held in theMichigan Exchange, a Detroit hotel,and attended by prominent Detroitcitizens, such as businessmen,scientists, and wealthyacquaintances of Walker. This groupof Detroiters quickly raised close to$10,000 dollars, and the Observatorywas named after Detroit in honor oftheir generosity. Having successfully made a case for the building ofthis observatory, which would be the first in Michigan and the secondin the Midwest, Tappan began touring notable observatories abroadand selecting staff and instruments in 1853.

Clearly, the building of anobservatory was aproject that Tappan sawas central to his missionfor the University. Tohim, it was the mark of atrue research university,dedicated to the sciencesas well as the classics,and something that setthe University apart fromothers. This sentiment isreflected in contemporary

letters, such as one by William Reid, a student in the 1850s, whowrote to a friend at Dartmouth about the University's ownership of a"tellescope [sic] next largest in the U.S. "the Observatory's famousFitz telescope"and suggested that it was one of "many reasons forpreferring this College to Dartmouth."School pride in the Observatoryis also seen in Universitypublications, such as an 1857University catalog, whichdevotes significant space to theDetroit Observatory and alsonotes a telescope, "which insize, is surpassed only by theTelescope in Cambridge, Mass.,and by that in Pulkova inRussia." The catalog alsoattempts to entice studentswith by mentioning that"Students who make Astronomyan optional study during theSenior year, or in the Universitycourse, will have instruction inthe use of the instruments andwill have an opportunity toparticipate in the observations."Clearly, the Observatory and itslarge telescopes were an effective public relations tool.

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HistoryObservatory Origins and

HistoryExpeditionsResources for Further

Research

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Record kept for the Signal Service, 1884.From the UM Detroit Observatoryrecords, Box 12.

Anemograph record (detail),1880. From the UM Detroit Observatoryrecords, Box 12.

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Although it was certainly astatus symbol of sorts for theUniversity, the Observatory hadseveral factors working againstit from the beginning. Mostsignificant was the weather.Michigan is the second cloudieststate in the nation, and onlyWashington has fewer cleardays per year. Thismeteorological disadvantagecertainly worked against it as amajor site for astronomy. Also,as the city of Ann Arbor grew,the Observatory wasincreasingly in proximity tocampus, and by 1915, it wascompletely floodlit. Nonetheless,it was used for some importantresearch, especially early on;James Watson discovered 19comets using its telescopes,and it was

used for a number ofmeteorological purposes. In thelate 19th century, Observatorystaff made daily, and sometimeshourly, reports on wind speed anddirection, measured withanemographs. They also recordedinformation on weather for theArmy Signal Service of the U.S.War Department. In this way, theObservatory contributed to thescientific pursuits and thereputation of the University fromthe beginning.

This exhibit was created in February 2009 by Bentley Library graduateassistant Shannon Wait, University of Michigan School of Information.

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Camp established at Cartwright, Labrador to observe the solar eclipse of 1905. Heber Doust Curtis Papers,Box 1, Folder: "Eclipse Expedition, 1905- Cartwright,Labrador".

Lick Observatory expedition to Egypt, 1905. Hussey Family Papers, Box 10, Folder:"Photographs- Miscellaneous".

LaPlata Observatory, Argentina, n.d. Meridiancircle, center front. Hussey Family Papers, Box 10, Folder: "PhotographsLaPlata Observatory

"Star Gazing": 150 years of astronomy at theUniversity of Michigan

EXPEDITIONSAstronomers travel a lot to find favorable locations to observeastronomical phenomena, and the faculty of the University of MichiganDepartment of Astronomy are no exception.James Craig Watson,for his part,participated innumerous expeditionsand the U.S.governmentappointed himastronomer-in-chieffor the 1874expedition to Peking,China to observe thetransit of Venus. Inhis trips he was oftenaccompanied by hiswife, who acted asrecorder for herillustrious husband.In the summer of1905, William JosephHussey went to Egyptin charge of the LickObservatory expeditionto observe the totalsolar eclipse. Between1911 and 1916,Hussey acted asDirector of the LaPlataObservatory inArgentina and dividedhis time between thatinstitution and theUniversity of Michigan.Hussey also initiatedthe construction of an

observatory inBloemfontain, SouthAfrica. He and hisfriend Robert P.Lamont intended toestablish anobservatory to catalogdouble stars, whichrequires observationfrom both a northhemisphere and asouth hemispherelocation. In October1926, as the Lamont-Hussey Observatorywas nearingcompletion, Husseydied in London on hisway to South Africa.Heber Doust Curtiswent three times toSumatra (in 1901,1926 and 1929) oneclipse expeditions. In

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HistoryObservatory Origins and

HistoryExpeditionsResources for Further

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Heber Doust Curtis standing in front of equipment,Sumatra eclipse expedition, 1926 or 1929. Heber Doust Curtis Papers, Box 1, Folder: "EclipseExpedition, 1926 - Beukoelen and 1929 - Takengon".

Gerlach, Nevada expedition, 1930 to observe the solar eclipse. Curtis' wife (center right) and his son,nicknamed "Binks" (Far right) were present.Observatory Records, Box 16, Folder: "EclipseExpedition, 1930 - Gerlach, Nevada".

Heber Doust Curtis at Fryeburg, Maine to observethe total solar eclipse, 1932. Observatory Records,Box 16, Folder:"Eclipse Expedition to Fryeburg,Maine, 1932".

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letters to his family,Curtis explained howchallenging andexciting these trips toSumatra were. In aNovember 28, 1925letter (Heber DoustCurtis Papers, Box 1,

Folder:"Correspondence, 1925"), Curtis recalls the harrowing trip tothe isolated village of Beukoelen, the site of the eclipse camp. His wifewas the first to be struck by the "5-day fever", a mysterious feverthat affected almost every member of the expedition. The weatherwas hot and humid, the terrain mountainous. However, in Beukoelenthey found accomodations that were"finer than we had imagined in ourwildest dreams". Unable to accomodate the influx of astronomers inthe local hotel, the little cityhad assigned their visitors to varioushouses as paying guests. Their long stay in Beukoelen was markedwith social events with local officals and a party of Germanastronomers whohad also come to observe the eclipse. The climax ofthe stay was a party organized by local officials after the successfulcompletion of eclipse observations.Curtis also headed theAllegheny ObservatoryEclipse Expedition toGerlach, Nevada in1930 and conducted aparty to Freiburg,Maine, to observe thetotal solar eclipse ofAugust 31, 1932.Such expeditions wereoften expensiveevents requiringimportant logistics.They could lead tosignificant scientificpublications, but theywere not alwayssuccessful. Watson'strip to China resultedin a wealth ofscientific data thatwas published inObservations of theTransit of Venus,December 8-9, 1874.But for the total solareclipse of January 24,1925, Hussey madeplans to observe itfrom a balloon inGeneva, New York.$4,000 were spent inpreparation, but highwinds and lack of openspace for filling andtaking off preventedthe flight of theballoon, while cloudsprevented participants from making observations. In anticipation of theJanuary 14, 1926 eclipse in Boenkoelen, Curtis and his colleaguesplaced bets on the weather. In the tropics, storm were unpredictableand struck very fast. Fortunately, on "D-Day", the sky was clear andthe astronomer returned to the United States with a wealth of dataand photographs from their observations (Heber Doust Curtis Papers,Box 1, Folder: "Correspondence, 1926").

This departmental history section of the exhibit was created February2009by Bentley Library graduate assistants Dominique Daniel, RachaelDreyer, and Shannon Wait, University of Michigan School ofInformation.

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1150 Beal Avenue Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2113 U.S.A. | 734.764.3482 | Fax: 734.936.1333 Reference: bentley.ref@umich.edu | Webmaster: bhlwebmaster@umich.edu

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W.J. Hussey's drawing of Mars, 1892.From UM Observatory papers, Box 12.

Resources for Studying Astronomy at the Universityof Michigan

MIXED MATERIALS

Association of Universities for Research in AstronomyAssociation of Universities for Research in Astronomy records,1953-197516 linear ft.

Records of the Association of Universities for Research inAstronomy, Tucson, Arizona. Correspondence files of Robert R.McMath, Leo Goldberg, and Orren C. Mohler, reports, minutes,financial and budgetary materials, and technical reports relating tothe development of AURA and its predecessor organization, theAdvisory Panel for the National Astronomical Observatory, andconcerning observatories at Kitt Peak, Arizona, and Cerro Tololo,Chile; also material concerning political developments in Chile; andphotographs.Stored off-site; prior notice required for retrievalFinding aid available online

Byrd, DavidDavid Byrd Photograph Series1 linear ft. (in 2 boxes and 1 portfolio) and oversized.

Portraits and photos of Byrd, his wife Letitia, and friends and family;photographs of projects, including churches, commercial buildings, andprivate residences; portfolio of photos of The Detroit Observatory,taken by David Byrd, 1973.Finding aid available in the library.

Curtis, Heber DoustHeber Doust Curtis papers,1889-1890, 1900-1908, and1921-1942.1.3 linear ft.

Personal correspondence,mainly copies of letters tofamily, describing variousastronomical expeditions toChile and Sumatra; alsospeeches; photographs andphotograph albums. One letter,July 19, 1925, concerns thecontroversy over the teachingof evolution and the Scopestrial including comments aboutClarence Darrow and WIlliamJennings Bryan.Finding aid available online

Curtiss, Ralph HamiltonRalph Hamilton Curtiss0.3 linear ft.

Professor of astronomy at University of Michigan.Professional correspondence, lecture notes in DescriptiveAstronomy, Astronomy 32, ca. 1929, and a biographical sketch.Correspondents include: Heber D. Curtis, Oct. 3, 1918, William J.Hussey, 1907, 1911, and July 18, 1923, and Harrison M. Randall,Dec. 5, 1911.

TABLE OF CONTENTSIntroductionAstronomy InstructionFaculty ProfilesAstronomy Department

HistoryObservatory Origins and

HistoryExpeditionsResources for Further

Research

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Detroit Observatory, ca. 1940.

Department of Astronomy (University of Michigan)Dept. of Astronomy (University of Michigan) records, 1960-1989(bulk 1980-1989).2 linear ft.

Records of the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomyobservatories visiting committee, 1980-1985; chairman's daily file,1984-1988; and various subject files.Finding aid available online

Detroit Observatory(University of Michigan)Detroit Observatory(University of Michigan)records, 1860-200426 linear feet and 1 flat filedrawer

Astronomical observatory onthe campus of the Universityof Michigan. Built in 1854, itwas named to recognize theDetroit citizens who helped

finance its building. No longer an active observatory, a majorrestoration was completed in 1999.Includes collected historical records and extensive documentation ofthe observatory restoration during the 1990s. Documentation includesinformation about the observatory's scientific instruments, formerdirectors, and outreach and publicity. Formats include photographs,scientific log books of weather observations (1880-1890),architectural drawings, and publications. Also includes a gold medalawarded to Franz Brünnow in 1848.Finding aid available online Hiltner, William

William A. Hiltner papers, 1942-199111 linear ft.

Astronomer, professor of astronomy at the University of Chicago,later at the University of Michigan.Biographical material, correspondence, topical files, teachingmaterials, research files, and photographs relating to professionalinterests, including his interest in photoelectric photometry leadingto the discovery of interstellar polarization; also files relating tovarious observatories.Finding aid available online.

Hussey FamilyHussey Family papers, 1876-19268.5 linear ft. and 1 oversize folder.

Correspondence, diaries, scrapbooks, photographs and othermaterials relating especially to Hussey's activities as professor ofastronomy and director of the astronomical observatory at theUniversity of Michigan, including his scientific visits to SouthAmerica and South Africa.Finding aid available in the library.

Losh, Hazel MarieHazel Marie Losh papers, 1870s-19782 linear ft.

Professor of astronomy at the University of Michigan, friend of theUniversity's athletes and athletics, and officer of Phi Beta Kappa,Alpha Chapter.Correspondence, speeches and speaking notes, clippings,publications, and photographs; also a transcript of an oral historyinterview conducted by Thomas Slavens.Finding aid available online

McMath, RobertRobert R. McMath papers, 1916-196210 linear ft.

Detroit, Michigan industrialist and director of the McMath-HulbertObservatory of University of Michigan (located on Lake Angelusnear Pontiac, Oakland County, Michigan.)

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Albert Boggess uses the meridian circletelescope 1953. From the News andInformation Services records, Box A-9.

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Finding aid available online

Michigan Historic PreservationNetwork

Michigan Historic PreservationNetwork records--PhotographSeries, 1999-20040.5 linear ft.

Photographs and CDs ofimages of buildings and otherstructures, communitydistricts, cultural landscapes,local institutions, and otherpreservation projects compiledas part of submission processfor the organization's historicpreservation awards.Finding aid available online

Observatory (University ofMichigan)

Observatory (University of Michigan) records, 1855-198516 linear ft., 1 oversize box, 1 oversize v., and architecturaldrawings.

Observatories of the University of Michigan, including the Lamont-Hussey Observatory, the McMath-Hulbert Observatory, the PortageLake Observatory, the Angell Hall Laboratory, the DetroitObservatory, and the Department of Astronomy.Correspondence, records of astronomical and meteorologicalobservations, financial records, reports, architectural drawings, andscrapbook; include correspondence of observatory directors, WilliamJ. Hussey, Ralph H. Curtiss, Heber D. Curtis, Orren C. Mohler, W.Carl Rufus, A. D. Maxwell, Leo Goldberg, Robert R. McMath, and R.A. Rossiter; observations of J. M. Shaeberle, Asaph Hall, Jr., WilliamJ. Hussey, C. S. Woodard, and S. D. Townley.

Watson, James C.James C. Watson papers2 linear feet and 1 outsize folder.

Professor of astronomy and director of the Observatory atUniversity of Michigan and University of Wisconsin.Correspondence relating to astronomy and observatories, worldtravel, 1874-1875, particularly in China and Egypt, the piano exhibitat the 1876 Centennial Exhibition, and the invention of thetelephone; also notes, articles, and miscellaneous manuscripts onhis scientific interests, three diaries, 1870-1875, two letterbooks, alog book of a journey abroad, and three volumes of notes; alsophotographs. Correspondents include Alexander Graham Bell, 1876-1879; A.W. Chase, 1873-1874; Elisha Gray, 1877-1879; JosephHenry, 1877; William E. Upjohn, 1880; Victor C. Vaughan, 1880.Also includes travel letters of Annette Waite Watson, 1874-1875.Finding aid available online

BOOKSAllmendinger, George Franklin. George Franklin Allmendinger StudentNotebook.Notes on the lectures of James C. Watson in astronomyand Edward Olney in mathematics. Call Number: BImu C34.

Hussey, William. Notes on Popular Astronomy... Call Number:DA 2H972 N911.

Shaw, Wilfred B. [ed.] University of Michigan: An EncyclopedicSurvey.Ann Arbor, University of Michigan Press, 1942-. Availableonline

Whitesell, Patricia S. A Creation of His Own: Tappan's DetroitObservatory.Ann Arbor, Mich.: Bentley Historical Library, Universityof Michigan, 1998. Call Number: FImu D13 O14 W594.

This exhibit was created in February 2009 by Bentley Library graduate

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This exhibit was created in February 2009 by Bentley Library graduateassistant Shannon Wait, University of Michigan School of Information.

1150 Beal Avenue Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2113 U.S.A. | 734.764.3482 | Fax: 734.936.1333 Reference: bentley.ref@umich.edu | Webmaster: bhlwebmaster@umich.edu

Copyright ©2009 The Regents of the University of MichiganLast modified: December 23, 2008 4:31:54 PM EST.

Banner image from Jasper Cropsey's The University of Michigan Campus, 1855

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