Thompson Observatory, Astronomical observatory in Beloit, Wisconsin
Thompson Observatory was an astronomical observation facility at Beloit College in Wisconsin, equipped with a large reflecting telescope for studying the night sky. The building stood on the campus grounds and housed equipment dedicated to observation and learning.
It was built in 1968 and replaced an older observation facility that had operated since the 1880s on the same campus. The new building brought more advanced telescope technology to the institution.
The observatory served the college community and local visitors who came to observe the night sky together, creating a shared experience of discovery on campus.
The site sits on the Beloit College campus in Wisconsin and was previously accessible to visitors during certain hours. Check with the college about current conditions and visiting possibilities.
The facility closed when its telescope was dismantled in 2008 to make way for a new science building on campus, ending decades of continuous stargazing activities. This transition marked the end of an important chapter in the college's commitment to hands-on astronomy education.
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