McMath–Hulbert Observatory, Astronomical observatory in Lake Angelus, Michigan.
The McMath-Hulbert Observatory is an astronomical facility in Michigan housing several large telescopes, including a 70-foot tower scope and a 50-foot solar tower designed to observe the sun and sky. The buildings and equipment sit on a private estate and support solar research alongside other astronomical work.
An entrepreneur and his son, along with a local judge, founded this private facility in 1929 with the goal of studying the sun. The University of Michigan took over the operation a few years later, transforming it into a research center of significance.
The site reflects how astronomers pursued solar research with equipment they designed themselves, shaping how people studied the sun over many decades. The tools and structures on the grounds show the hands-on approach of early twentieth-century science.
Visitors can access the grounds through organized tours that require advance booking through the nonprofit organization that operates the site. Wearing comfortable shoes is recommended since the property is large and walking between buildings is necessary.
The facility was among the first to capture moving pictures of solar activity using a specialized filming device built on site by the research team. This early film work helped other scientists grasp how the sun actually behaves in motion.
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