Wyoming Infrared Observatory holds annual open house

A Wyoming Observatory, Reborn, Lets the Public Gaze at the Stars

The Milky Way trailed overhead and the lights of Laramie twinkled far down the valley. For the University of Wyoming Department of Physics and Astronomy, the Oct. 9 open house at the Wyoming Infrared Observatory was a chance to showcase its return to operational status. The annual open house at the Wyoming Infrared Observatory (WIRO), held Oct. 9, marked a triumphant return for a facility that, just a year ago, was recovering from a crippling lightning strike. The University of Wyoming reported that the evening was crisp, clear, and dark—the precise conditions needed to see the universe in a new light.

A Clear View from the Mountain

Nestled atop Jelm Mountain at 9,650 feet, WIRO is more than just a collection of mirrors and lenses. It’s a place where the sky is still dark enough to see the faint glow of distant galaxies and the atmosphere is so arid that it doesn’t absorb the infrared radiation from deep space. These conditions are critical for its mission. When WIRO’s telescope achieved first light in 1977, it held the distinction of being the world’s largest infrared telescope. Since then, it has claimed several other superlatives: the first fully computer-controlled optical/infrared telescope; the second-highest professional observatory in the continental U.S.; and the largest telescope owned and operated by a single institution. These achievements have put Wyoming firmly on the map for cutting-edge science.

For the 127 guests who secured a coveted spot—some reportedly stalking the webpage for months to get a ticket—the open house was a rare treat. While many modern observations are made remotely from a computer terminal, the event offered a chance to see the universe with your own eyes.

Chip Kobulnicky, a professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and associate dean of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, describes this as a highly unusual opportunity to look through an eyepiece and view the cosmos using a telescope of this magnitude.

Tour groups met at the base of the mountain and traveled up the serpentine, one-lane, washboard road in two-vehicle caravans.

From Ice Cream to the Cosmos

While waiting for their tour time, guests were treated to physics demonstrations and a truly unique refreshment: liquid nitrogen ice cream. Lab coordinator Noah Cowper kept everyone engaged, making the dessert to order. For a young mind like 7-year-old Maria Pinello of Laramie, the evening was pure discovery. She peered through the eyepiece of the massive WIRO telescope and observed the star Vega, a moment that connected her directly to the light from a star 25 light-years away. Guests also viewed Messier 56, the Cat’s Eye Nebula, and the ringed giant, Saturn.

Assistant professor Jordan Stone first gathered guests in the living quarters to explain WIRO’s history and mission. Then, WIRO director and professor Michael Brotherton demonstrated the telescope’s complex technology from the control room. Finally, engineer Thomas Mazzetti led them into the dome for the main event: a direct observation through the telescope’s eyepiece. Throughout the night, 26 students, faculty, and staff members fielded questions, explaining everything from how many people could sleep in the living quarters to why stars have different colors.

A New Chapter for a 50-Year-Old Legacy

The event was a visible sign of WIRO’s recovery after its 2023 lightning strike, which had disabled many of its electronic systems. Mazzetti, the engineer, confirmed that the work is nearly complete.

“Last week, we mounted the long-slit spectrograph and are starting final precision calibrations before resuming scientific observation,” Mazzetti said. This piece of equipment is crucial for breaking down the light from celestial objects, allowing astronomers to determine their composition and velocity.

One open house guest commented that what a neat facility and program. Their ninth-grade son wants to go into astronomy, and it was really informative for him.

As WIRO wraps up its first 50 years and moves into the next, its role remains uniquely valuable. It’s a one-of-a-kind site for hands-on student learning, a testing ground for new astronomical instruments, and an accessible venue for public outreach. One guest commented they are so glad their friends couldn’t go, and swapped their tickets to us.

Worth a look