Building a Research Program with the Adler Planetarium's Doane Observatory

The Doane Observatory is home to the largest telescope available to the public in the Chicagoland area, with the Adler Planetarium's installation of a new 24-inch telescope in 2020. Now, the Doane aims to expand its repertoire from facilitating public observing events to a full research program, with the goal of opening access to hands-on astronomy research for Chicago-area students. I will describe our observing capabilities from our unique urban location adjacent to Lake Michigan, which have been tested on targets including transiting exoplanets, variable stars, and more, and our plans to explore partnerships to expand access for the next generation of astronomers.