Shattuck Observatory

Shattuck Observatory is an astronomical research facility at Dartmouth College featuring distinctive domes and solid construction with granite foundations and red brick walls. The building houses multiple telescopes arranged to serve both educational and research purposes on the campus.

A Dartmouth graduate named George Shattuck provided funds for the building's construction in the 1850s, and the college added matching support to make it happen. This partnership between a donor and the institution established this research facility.

The observatory serves the academic community as an active research and teaching facility where students pursue their studies in astronomy and physics. This role gives the building a sense of purpose that visitors can sense when they walk through the campus.

The facility sits on campus and can be reached by turning onto Observatory Road from East Wheelock Street near the Alumni Gymnasium. The building is set within the college grounds and accessible on foot from other campus buildings.

A refractor telescope from the 1870s still works and shows how long this place has been observing the sky. The observatory connects with major research facilities around the world to conduct collaborative science.

Location: New Hampshire

GPS coordinates: 43.70500,-72.28530

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:20