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Is the Rutherfurd Observatory currently maintained by Yale University?
Answer: False
Explanation: The Rutherfurd Observatory is maintained by Columbia University, not Yale University.
Is Lewis Morris Rutherfurd honored by the Rutherfurd Observatory primarily for his contributions to modern astrophysics?
Answer: False
Explanation: Lewis Morris Rutherfurd is honored by the Rutherfurd Observatory for his pioneering work in astronomical photography and spectroscopy, rather than modern astrophysics.
Before moving to the Morningside campus, were the Rutherfurd Observatory's equipment housed in a facility in downtown Brooklyn?
Answer: False
Explanation: Prior to the Morningside campus, the Rutherfurd Observatory's equipment was housed in midtown Manhattan and later the Stuyvesant Estate, not downtown Brooklyn.
Is the Rutherfurd Observatory named after Lewis Morris Rutherfurd, a pioneer in astronomical photography?
Answer: True
Explanation: Yes, the Rutherfurd Observatory is named in honor of Lewis Morris Rutherfurd, who was a significant pioneer in the field of astronomical photography and spectroscopy.
Which academic institution is responsible for the maintenance of the Rutherfurd Observatory?
Answer: Columbia University
Explanation: Columbia University is responsible for the maintenance of the Rutherfurd Observatory.
The Rutherfurd Observatory is named in honor of which individual?
Answer: Lewis Morris Rutherfurd
Explanation: The Rutherfurd Observatory is named in honor of Lewis Morris Rutherfurd, a pioneer in astronomical photography and spectroscopy.
What was the state of the Rutherfurd Observatory's equipment before the Morningside campus was established?
Answer: It was housed in midtown Manhattan and later the Stuyvesant Estate.
Explanation: Before the establishment of the Morningside campus, the Rutherfurd Observatory's equipment was housed first in midtown Manhattan and subsequently at the Stuyvesant Estate.
Was the twelve-inch refractor telescope at the Rutherfurd Observatory built by the Warner & Swasey Company?
Answer: False
Explanation: The twelve-inch refractor telescope was manufactured by the Alvan Clark firm, not the Warner & Swasey Company.
Was the twelve-inch refractor telescope originally intended for use by the French government?
Answer: False
Explanation: The twelve-inch refractor telescope was originally commissioned for the Czarist government of Russia, not the French government.
Did World War II prevent the initial shipment of the twelve-inch refractor telescope to Russia?
Answer: False
Explanation: World War I, specifically unrestricted U-boat warfare, prevented the initial shipment of the twelve-inch refractor telescope to Russia, not World War II.
Following World War I, did the Russian government accept and pay for the twelve-inch refractor telescope?
Answer: False
Explanation: Following World War I, the new Russian government refused to pay for or accept the twelve-inch refractor telescope, leading to its subsequent acquisition by Columbia University.
Did Columbia University acquire the twelve-inch refractor telescope in 1920 from a private collector?
Answer: False
Explanation: Columbia University acquired the twelve-inch refractor telescope in 1920 after it had remained crated in a warehouse following the Russian government's refusal to accept it; it was purchased from the entity holding it in storage, not directly from a private collector.
Was the Alvan Clark firm a rival institution to Columbia University in astronomical research?
Answer: False
Explanation: The Alvan Clark firm was not a rival institution but rather the manufacturer of the twelve-inch refractor telescope formerly housed at the Rutherfurd Observatory.
Did U-boat warfare during World War I make sea transport safe for the telescope shipment?
Answer: False
Explanation: Unrestricted U-boat warfare during World War I made sea transport hazardous, significantly delaying the telescope's shipment, rather than making it safe.
Did the twelve-inch telescope remain crated in a Russian warehouse for several years prior to its acquisition by Columbia University?
Answer: True
Explanation: Following the Russian government's refusal to accept the telescope after World War I, it remained crated in a warehouse for several years before Columbia University purchased it.
Which company manufactured the twelve-inch refractor telescope formerly housed at the Rutherfurd Observatory?
Answer: Alvan Clark
Explanation: The twelve-inch refractor telescope formerly housed at the Rutherfurd Observatory was manufactured by the Alvan Clark firm, renowned for its high-quality astronomical instruments.
What was the original intended purpose of the twelve-inch refractor telescope?
Answer: To observe an upcoming solar eclipse in Russia
Explanation: The twelve-inch refractor telescope was originally commissioned by the Russian government with the specific intention of observing an upcoming solar eclipse within Russia.
What major global conflict caused delays in the shipment of the twelve-inch refractor telescope to Russia?
Answer: World War I
Explanation: The outbreak of World War I and the subsequent unrestricted U-boat warfare caused significant delays in the shipment of the twelve-inch refractor telescope to Russia.
Why did the new Russian government refuse to accept the twelve-inch refractor telescope after World War I?
Answer: They refused to pay for it and did not accept delivery.
Explanation: Following World War I and the Russian Revolution, the new government led by Lenin refused to pay for the telescope and consequently did not accept its delivery.
Columbia University acquired the twelve-inch refractor telescope under which circumstances?
Answer: It was purchased after being refused by Russia and remaining in storage.
Explanation: Columbia University purchased the twelve-inch refractor telescope in 1920 after it had been refused by the Russian government and remained crated in a warehouse.
The twelve-inch refractor telescope was originally commissioned by the government of which country?
Answer: Russia
Explanation: The twelve-inch refractor telescope was originally commissioned by the government of Russia.
The Alvan Clark firm is noted in the source for what reason?
Answer: Manufacturing the twelve-inch refractor telescope
Explanation: The Alvan Clark firm is noted for its role as the manufacturer of the twelve-inch refractor telescope that was formerly part of the Rutherfurd Observatory's collection.
Was the twelve-inch refractor telescope primarily utilized for advanced research purposes at Columbia University for many years?
Answer: False
Explanation: For many years after its acquisition by Columbia University, the twelve-inch refractor telescope was used predominantly for student education, rather than advanced research.
Did the South Carolina State Museum purchase the twelve-inch refractor telescope in 1997?
Answer: True
Explanation: The South Carolina State Museum acquired the twelve-inch refractor telescope from Columbia University in 1997.
Does the South Carolina State Museum focus on preserving modern astronomical instruments?
Answer: False
Explanation: The South Carolina State Museum specializes in the preservation of vintage Alvan Clark refractors, such as the twelve-inch telescope it acquired.
Was the twelve-inch refractor telescope used for student education for only a short period after Columbia acquired it?
Answer: False
Explanation: No, the twelve-inch refractor telescope was used primarily for student education at Columbia University for many years, not just a short period.
What was the primary use of the twelve-inch refractor telescope at Columbia University for many years?
Answer: Student education
Explanation: For many years after its acquisition, the twelve-inch refractor telescope at Columbia University was used predominantly for student education.
Which institution acquired the twelve-inch refractor telescope from Columbia University in 1997?
Answer: The South Carolina State Museum
Explanation: The South Carolina State Museum acquired the twelve-inch refractor telescope from Columbia University in 1997.
What is a notable specialization of the South Carolina State Museum regarding astronomical equipment?
Answer: Preservation of vintage Alvan Clark refractors
Explanation: The South Carolina State Museum has a notable specialization in the preservation of vintage Alvan Clark refractors, making it a suitable custodian for the twelve-inch telescope.
Is the Rutherfurd Observatory located on the roof of the Pupin Physics Laboratories?
Answer: True
Explanation: The Rutherfurd Observatory is situated on the roof of the Pupin Physics Laboratories.
Did Professor Wallace Eckert's laboratory, located below the Rutherfurd Observatory, develop the first electronic computer?
Answer: False
Explanation: Professor Wallace Eckert's laboratory developed the first device capable of performing general scientific calculations automatically, not the first electronic computer.
Was a 1.2-meter optical telescope constructed by the 'Columbia CO Survey' in the 1970s?
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'Columbia CO Survey' constructed a 1.2-meter radio telescope in the 1970s, not an optical telescope.
Did the 'Columbia CO Survey' radio telescope operate from the main campus grounds?
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'Columbia CO Survey' radio telescope operated from the Little Dome, not the main campus grounds.
Was the 'Columbia CO Survey' radio telescope the first instrument to successfully map the sky in an important radio frequency band?
Answer: True
Explanation: The 'Columbia CO Survey' radio telescope achieved the distinction of being the first instrument to successfully map the sky in a significant radio frequency band.
Has the Rutherfurd Observatory been in continuous operation since the completion of Pupin Hall in 1927?
Answer: True
Explanation: The Rutherfurd Observatory has been in continuous operation at its Pupin Hall location since the building's completion in 1927.
Did the 'Columbia CO Survey' successfully map the sky using visible light?
Answer: False
Explanation: No, the 'Columbia CO Survey' mapped the sky using radio waves with its radio telescope, not visible light.
Was Pupin Hall completed before the Rutherfurd Observatory was established?
Answer: False
Explanation: No, the Rutherfurd Observatory was established prior to the completion of Pupin Hall in 1927. The observatory later relocated to the top of Pupin Hall.
Did the "Columbia CO Survey" operate a telescope specifically designed for observing solar eclipses?
Answer: False
Explanation: No, the 'Columbia CO Survey' operated a 1.2-meter radio telescope for mapping the sky in radio bands, not a telescope designed for observing solar eclipses.
Where was the Rutherfurd Observatory primarily located after the completion of the Pupin Physics Laboratories?
Answer: On the roof of Pupin Hall
Explanation: Following the completion of the Pupin Physics Laboratories in 1927, the Rutherfurd Observatory relocated its primary location to the roof of this building.
Professor Wallace Eckert's Astronomical Laboratory achieved which technological milestone in the 1930s?
Answer: Built the first automated device for general scientific calculations
Explanation: In the 1930s, Professor Wallace Eckert's Astronomical Laboratory constructed the first automated device designed for general scientific calculations.
What kind of telescope did the 'Columbia CO Survey' construct in the 1970s?
Answer: A 1.2-meter radio telescope
Explanation: In the 1970s, the 'Columbia CO Survey' constructed a 1.2-meter radio telescope.
Where did the 'Columbia CO Survey' radio telescope operate from?
Answer: The Little Dome
Explanation: The 'Columbia CO Survey' radio telescope operated from a facility known as the Little Dome.
What significant achievement is associated with the 'Columbia CO Survey' radio telescope?
Answer: It was the first instrument to successfully map the sky in an important radio band.
Explanation: The 'Columbia CO Survey' radio telescope is associated with the significant achievement of being the first instrument to successfully map the sky in an important radio frequency band.
Since when has the Rutherfurd Observatory been in continuous operation at its Pupin Hall location?
Answer: Since the completion of Pupin Hall in 1927
Explanation: The Rutherfurd Observatory has been in continuous operation at its Pupin Hall location since the building's completion in 1927.
What was located on the 14th floor of Pupin Physics Laboratories, directly beneath the Rutherfurd Observatory?
Answer: Professor Eckert's Astronomical Laboratory
Explanation: Professor Eckert's Astronomical Laboratory was situated on the 14th floor of Pupin Physics Laboratories, directly beneath the Rutherfurd Observatory.
Does the Interdisciplinary Science Building now occupy the site where the Rutherfurd Observatory's main telescope was once located?
Answer: False
Explanation: The Interdisciplinary Science Building occupies the site where a transit building housing observatory equipment once stood, not the location of the main telescope itself.
Was the Northwest Corner Building completed adjacent to Pupin Hall in 2009?
Answer: True
Explanation: Yes, the Northwest Corner Building was completed in 2009, situated adjacent to Pupin Hall.
Is the Northwest Corner Building shorter than Pupin Hall, thereby improving the observatory's view?
Answer: False
Explanation: No, the Northwest Corner Building is significantly taller than Pupin Hall, which obstructs the observatory's view, rather than improving it.
Does light pollution originating from the Northwest Corner Building aid astronomical observations?
Answer: False
Explanation: Light pollution from the Northwest Corner Building interferes with astronomical observations; it does not aid them.
Did the construction of the Northwest Corner Building significantly improve the Rutherfurd Observatory's access to the sky?
Answer: False
Explanation: No, the construction of the Northwest Corner Building significantly obstructed the Rutherfurd Observatory's access to the sky due to its height and light emissions.
What facility occupied the site where the Interdisciplinary Science Building now stands on Columbia's Morningside campus?
Answer: A transit building housing observatory equipment
Explanation: Prior to the construction of the Interdisciplinary Science Building, the site was occupied by a transit building that housed equipment for the Rutherfurd Observatory.
What new building was erected adjacent to the Rutherfurd Observatory in 2009?
Answer: The Northwest Corner Building
Explanation: The Northwest Corner Building was erected adjacent to the Rutherfurd Observatory in 2009.
How did the height of the Northwest Corner Building affect the Rutherfurd Observatory?
Answer: It blocked a significant portion of the observatory's view of the sky.
Explanation: The height of the Northwest Corner Building, being six floors taller than Pupin Hall, significantly blocked a substantial portion of the Rutherfurd Observatory's view of the sky.
Besides obstructing the view, what other problem did the Northwest Corner Building cause for the observatory?
Answer: It emitted considerable light, interfering with observations.
Explanation: In addition to obstructing the field of view, the newly constructed Northwest Corner Building emits a considerable amount of light, which interferes with astronomical observations in the remaining accessible sky.
Which of these events directly led to the Rutherfurd Observatory's view being obstructed?
Answer: The construction of the Northwest Corner Building in 2009
Explanation: The construction of the Northwest Corner Building in 2009 directly led to the obstruction of the Rutherfurd Observatory's view of the sky.