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Dearborn Observatory

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Dearborn Observatory, Astronomical observatory at Northwestern University, Evanston, US.

Description

Dearborn Observatory is an astronomical facility at Northwestern University in Evanston built from limestone in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. A prominent dome crowns the structure and houses a historic refracting telescope inside.

History

The facility was founded in 1888 through collaboration between the Chicago Astronomical Society and Northwestern University. It represented a major commitment to astronomical research and education in the region.

Culture

The building sits on Northwestern's campus and draws students, faculty, and visitors who gather here to look through the telescope and learn about the night sky together.

Practical

The building opens on designated evenings and weather conditions along with cloud cover can affect viewing opportunities and the overall experience. Planning ahead and arriving early helps make the most of your visit.

Did you know?

One of the most remarkable features is the power and size of the telescope housed here, which enabled groundbreaking observations of the night sky. The connection between this instrument and significant astronomical discoveries makes it compelling for anyone interested in how we learned about the cosmos.

Location
Location
Inception
1889
Architects
Cobb and Frost, William W. Boyington
Architectural style
Richardsonian Romanesque
Elevation above the sea
195 m
Accessibility
Wheelchair inaccessible
Made from material
limestone
Address
2131 Tech Drive, Evanston, Illinois 60208
GPS coordinates
42.05667,-87.67508
Latest update
December 10, 2025 20:08

AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Evanston).

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« Dearborn Observatory - Astronomical observatory at Northwestern University, Evanston, US » is provided by Around Us (aroundus.com). Images and texts are derived from Wikimedia project under a Creative Commons license. You are allowed to copy, distribute, and modify copies of this page, under the conditions set by the license, as long as this note is clearly visible.

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