4.5 inch Dupont Refractor

The 4.5 inch Dupont refractor was built in 1887.  The lens was made by the famous lens maker Alvin Clark.  At the time it was constructed, it had a gravity-driven drive.  This meant that you had to crank up a set of weights every once in a while to keep the telescope tracking.  The refractor was donated to MCAO in the 1970s and is housed in the small dome. It is popular for public nights and other viewing sessions.