The Octagon at Amherst College, Museum and observatory at Amherst College, Massachusetts, United States
The Octagon is an eight-sided building at Amherst College that housed astronomical observation areas and natural history collections. The structure combines exhibition spaces with specially designed sections for astronomy work.
The building was constructed between 1847 and 1848 based on architect Henry A. Sykes's design under Edward Hitchcock's direction. It was built to serve both astronomy and museum functions in one location.
The building shows how education and science came together at American colleges in the 1800s. You can see how natural history collections and observation tools were housed side by side.
The building sits on campus and is easy to find for visitors interested in astronomy or natural history. Explore the exhibitions inside and look for the special architectural features designed for scientific work.
The foundations were built by Andrew Lawrence with special structural elements to support precise astronomical measurements. This careful construction enabled stable observations without interference from vibrations or ground movement.
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