Kennon Observatory

Kennon Observatory is an astronomical facility at the University of Mississippi in Oxford with two distinctive copper-roofed domes. The building houses several telescopes of different sizes for observing the night sky and conducting research.

The observatory was built in 1939 and named after William Lee Kennon, who led the physics and astronomy department at the university for many years. It developed into an important center for astronomical research and education on campus.

The observatory hosts public viewing nights where visitors and students gather to observe the night sky and learn about celestial objects together. These gatherings help people connect with astronomy and understand the universe through hands-on experience.

Observation conditions depend on darkness and clear skies, which means visits work best on nights when weather permits good seeing. It helps to check in advance about viewing events or group access, as the facility operates according to a schedule.

A special tube in the south wall channels sunlight onto the floor at noon, but only during the spring and autumn equinoxes. This creates a remarkable moment when the sun reaches its exact position twice a year.

Location: Mississippi

Website: http://olemiss.edu/research/atmospheric_physics/PhysBldgs1.html

GPS coordinates: 34.36430,-89.53640

Latest update: December 14, 2025 15:00