What is the largest / best list of universities with telescopes (in the US and abroad)?

Question

I'm writing a book and a related website focused on the wonder and process of visiting notable scopes and observatories, both large and small, throughout the world.

Thank you for you help!!

Answer 1

The problem is that most good telescopes are located on high mountains (less atmosphere) in places with little light polution. Which means they are far from the universities that pay for them. Most big scopes are run by a consortium of several universities and research organizations because of the large cost. It also means that it is very difficult to visit them and visitors are not allowed inside. Some of the older telescopes at sites which have several scopes, like at McDonald Observatory in west Texas can be visited and even looked through on one or two days a month, but the drive up is a steep road that leave radiators boiling over. Most of the large observatories have good web sites with pictures of their equipment and examples of their work.

Answer 2

Northern Arizona University in Flagststaff, AZ has an astronomy program and has an on-site 24 inch telescope. There are also public viewings on certain nights hosted by the NAU Astronomy Club. I have attended these several times and I have also been privleged enough to operate this telescope during "Astronomy Camp" in 1994 when I was in high school. I miss living in Arizona!
Many universities are located in smoggy and light polluted large cities where an on-site telescope wouldn't be feasible. As the previous poster mentioned, these universities pay for observatories that are located at remote locations, where clearer air, darker skies, and higher elevations can allow for better viewing. The University of Texas runs the Mcdonald Observatory in Fort Davis, Texas. From Austin, Tx to Fort Davis, this would be more than a 600 mile drive!