Astronomical Observatory

The Astronomical Observatory at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a Colonial Revival building topped with a domed structure housing a large refractor telescope. The instrument was built for research and continues to be used for public viewing sessions and educational activities.

The building was constructed in 1896 with state funding and immediately became a center for astronomical teaching and research at the university. Recognition as a National Historic Landmark in 1989 acknowledged its long importance to science and education in America.

The observatory holds a place in the university's story as a bridge between academic research and public curiosity about the stars. Today it still welcomes people who want to learn about the night sky and understand how astronomers work.

The observatory opens to visitors at scheduled times, with groups able to arrange private viewings by contacting the university. Clear skies work best for viewing, so checking weather conditions before visiting helps ensure a good experience.

In 1907, an astronomer named Joel Stebbins measured the moon's brightness during an eclipse using an early electric detection device, work that pioneered a new approach to astronomical research. This experiment at the site became a turning point in how scientists studied celestial objects.