Dudley Observatory

Dudley Observatory is an astronomical research facility located on Siena College's campus that houses telescopes and scientific equipment for observing the night sky and conducting celestial research. The grounds serve both educational purposes and advanced study of astronomical phenomena.

The observatory was founded in 1852 and named after Senator Charles E. Dudley, originally located on Goat Hill in Albany. It relocated several times throughout the years to improve observational conditions and meet evolving research needs.

The institution maintains a collection of astronomical manuscripts, including first editions by Galileo and Copernicus, contributing to scientific knowledge preservation.

Visitors can join Ask an Astronomer sessions to get direct answers from experts and experience the portable Starlab planetarium show. The site also offers regular evening observing sessions where you can look through telescopes and learn about celestial objects.

The collection includes an S-10 Particle Collector module from the Gemini space program, showing how the facility shifted from ground-based stargazing to space exploration research. This artifact represents a turning point in how astronomers gather data about the universe.

Location: Schenectady County

Website: http://dudleyobservatory.org

GPS coordinates: 42.81188,-73.93376

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:02