C. E. K. Mees Observatory

The C. E. K. Mees Observatory is an astronomical facility located on Gannett Hill in Bristol at 701 meters elevation. It houses a large reflector telescope housed in a rotating dome and was designed specifically for observing celestial objects.

The University of Rochester opened the facility in 1965 and named it after C. E. Kenneth Mees, a pioneer in photographic astronomy. The location was chosen because it occupies the highest point in the surrounding area.

The observatory connects local schools and universities through joint observation projects, making astronomy accessible to students across the region. This partnership shapes how young people in the area understand the night sky.

Visitors should plan to attend the free tours available on Friday and Saturday evenings during summer months when the telescope is open for viewing. The hilltop location means comfortable walking shoes are recommended, and visitors should check weather conditions for clear skies.

The facility is equipped with advanced instruments including a sensitive camera for astrophotography and a spectrograph used to analyze starlight. These tools allow observers not only to see celestial objects but also to study their chemical composition.

Location: New York

Inception: May 8, 1965

Address: 6604 South Gannett Hill Road, Naples, NY 14512

Website: https://pas.rochester.edu/about/observatory.html

GPS coordinates: 42.70030,-77.40880

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:26