Author(s): Amber Zendejas
Mentor(s): Dan Broadbent
Institution BYU
Brigham Young University’s West Mountain Observatory (WMO) was established in 1981. It was constructed in response to the increasing light pollution in Provo, Utah which affected the observatory at the Eyring Science Center (ESC) on the Brigham Young University (BYU) campus. Prior to the construction of WMO, the ESC was the primary observatory used for astronomical research at BYU. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, this research is a product of interviews with faculty and students involved with WMO, alongside an analysis of photographs, architectural building plans, newspaper articles and newscasts, amongst other historical documents from the Special Collections department of the Harold B. Lee Library at BYU. The findings in this paper reveal not only the significant logistical efforts in constructing the observatory, including the transportation of equipment up the mountain, but also highlight the rich learning experiences of BYU’s undergraduate students. This research also examines the collaborative environment that was fostered at WMO and the advanced research that was conducted there. Over the years, WMO has transformed from a facility with a dark room for developing photographic plates to a modern research site equipped with state-of-the-art imaging and data processing technology. This evolution underscores WMO’s critical role in enhancing undergraduate research opportunities by allowing physics and astronomy students to gain hands-on experience in data collection, telescope operation, and problem-solving as they work at the observatory. WMO continues to play an integral role in advancing both student education and faculty research, solidifying its importance as a cornerstone of astronomical studies at BYU.