Haystack Observatory

Haystack Observatory is a radio astronomy research facility in Westford featuring a 18.3-meter radio telescope. The instrument is protected by a distinctive white dome made of Teflon fabric that sits at an elevation of 131 meters and allows the telescope to observe the sky.

The facility was built in 1960 by MIT for the United States Air Force as a research center. The telescope later became a leader in developing new methods for precise measurements and scientific collaboration between institutions.

The facility operates as a hub for international collaboration in radio astronomy, managed by a consortium of universities led by MIT. Scientists from around the world come here to work together on projects that advance our understanding of the cosmos.

The site is located roughly 45 kilometers northwest of Boston and is best reached by car. Keep in mind that this is an active research facility, so access to certain areas may be limited or require prior arrangement.

In the 1960s, the facility used copper dipoles in orbit to bounce radio signals back to Earth over vast distances. This groundbreaking experiment demonstrated that communication across space could work in ways nobody had tried before.

Location: Massachusetts

Official opening: 1960

Elevation above the sea: 131 m

Address: 99 Millstone Road Westford, MA 01886

Phone: +16177155400

Website: https://haystack.mit.edu

GPS coordinates: 42.62330,-71.48820

Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:29