Drake Municipal Observatory, Astronomical observatory in Des Moines, US.
The Drake Municipal Observatory stands on the highest point in Des Moines, featuring an 8.25-inch refracting telescope within its limestone structure.
The observatory, constructed between 1920 and 1921, emerged from a partnership between Drake University and the City of Des Moines for public astronomy education.
The facility's rotunda contains a mosaic depicting the solar system's planetary positions as they appeared on October 1, 1921.
Visitors can attend public astronomy sessions every Friday night during spring through autumn, beginning with an educational lecture at 8:00 PM.
The ashes of astronomer Daniel Walter Morehouse and his wife Myrtle remain within the observatory rotunda's wall.
Location: Iowa
Phone: +5152713141
Website: https://drake.edu/observatory
GPS coordinates: 41.59552,-93.68784
Latest update: March 18, 2025 07:52
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