Detroit Observatory

Detroit Observatory is an astronomical facility at the University of Michigan that houses a large historic telescope under a rotating dome. The building stands on elevated ground and contains original 19th-century equipment alongside modern viewing capabilities.

The facility was founded in 1854 and served as the University of Michigan's first scientific research institution. It became a center for astronomical work during the nineteenth century and helped establish the region as a place for scientific study.

The facility maintains regular astronomical programs where visitors examine celestial objects including Saturn's rings, Jupiter's moons, and distant stars.

The building sits in a quiet area of campus and is accessible on foot from the main academic areas. Visitors should bring layers since the interior can be cold, and clear skies are needed for meaningful telescope viewing.

The telescope was custom-built for this site and ranked among the most significant instruments of its kind when installed in the 19th century. The optical components and mechanical systems from that era remain in working use today, allowing visitors to experience the same viewing methods as astronomers from over 160 years ago.

Location: Ann Arbor

Inception: 1854

Official opening: 1854

Elevation above the sea: 294 m

Part of: University of Michigan

GPS coordinates: 42.28167,-83.73167

Latest update: December 12, 2025 14:25