History of Burckhalter

From the pages of our school history:

Burckhalter Elementary is named after astronomer Charles Burckhalter. Director of Chabot Observatory for over two decades (beginning when it was still the Oakland Observatory and based in downtown Oakland), Burckhalter achieved many scientific breakthroughs. For example, he became famous for “developing a new technique of photographing total solar eclipses. One such photograph, along with one from Lick Observatory, was used to prove Einstein’s theory that starlight can be bent by gravity.”

For more information on Charles Burckhalter, visit chabotspace.org and eastbayastro.org.