The original purpose of the telescope was to do photoelectric photometry with a telescope that could be operated more easily and quickly than the 36-inch Lick refractor or Crossley reflector. This also reserved the larger telescopes for objects too faint to be studied with the Tauchmann reflector.

James Cumming adapted the Tauchmann for photoelectric observing. Once completed the telescope was used by Lick Observatory astronomers. An early science program was observing the magnitudes and colors of cluster-type variable stars by Lick astronomers Gerald Kron and Sotirios Svolopoulos. Kron also used the Tauchmann to do six-color photometry to determine the intrinsic colors and color excesses of supergiant stars to compare with similar information for Cepheid variable stars. David Wood and Merle Walker later used the Tauchmann to measure the light curve of ~ Lyrae, and eclipsing binary star.

The Tauchmann telescope was retired from research use by 1970. It continues to be used for education programs, as well as a telescope that Lick Observatory astronomers and resident staff may use for fun once they have been trained on its operation. Staff and volunteers work on restoring and upgrading the telescope in their free time. More information about the telescope is available in a Nature, article (Nature, 1974, v.252, p.528) by John Gribbin.

All new Tauchmann users must be checked out on the use of the telescope by a qualified Lick Observatory staff member. Training can be scheduled by contacting the Support Astronomers at sa@ucolick.org. Once checked out, observers should request access and keys at least a few days in advance of when they want to use the telescope via the Support Astronomers.

Any issues with the telescope or repairs should be reported to the Shane Telescope operator (ext 8-0652). Note, there is no janitorial support for the Tauchmann, so all trash should be removed from the dome and placed in a trash bin elsewhere (e.g. at the Diner exterior bins).

The telescope dome has many trip hazards as well as places where it is easy to bump one's head, especially in the dark, so always use due care when in the dome operating the telescope.

Volunteering to maintain or improve the telescope by trained operators and Observatory staff is always welcome. If everyone does their share to take care of the Tauchmann, we should be able to enjoy this "rickety but fun operation" (Kemper 1973) for the foreseeable future.

Tauchmann 22-inch Reflector, image courtesy of Elinor Gates