Ritter Planetarium/observatory and McMaster Hall
Ritter Planetarium and Observatory was constructed in 1967, with a gift from Toledo lawyer George Ritter. It housed the new astronomy programs. The telescope, with a 40-inch lens donated by Owens-Illinois, was one of the largest of its kind at the time. The new building helped to recruit several astronomers with national reputations.
Today, McMaster Hall and Ritter Planetarium are shared by specialists in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Much of the federally funded research work done by our faculty takes place here.
Ritter's observatory houses the largest reflecting telescope in the region. Department faculty and students use the telescope for research, training students and public outreach. After the evening planetarium program on the first Friday of every month, the telescope is open to the public, weather permitting.
McMaster Hall houses the Helen and Elgin Brooks Observatory. The observatory opened in 1987 and is dedicated to undergraduate education and public outreach.
