Ashton Observatory

Ashton Observatory is a public astronomical facility operated by the Des Moines Astronomical Society in collaboration with Jasper County, Iowa. Located in Ashton-Wildwood County Park near Baxter, about 20 minutes northeast of Des Moines, the observatory has welcomed visitors since its construction in 1983.

About Ashton Observatory

The facility consists of two connected domes, each housing a 16-inch aperture telescope for observing planets, nebulae, star clusters, and other deep-sky objects. Between the domes sits a small classroom where the society presents educational programs, lectures, and videos before moving to the telescopes for viewing.

History

Built in 1983, Ashton Observatory was established as a community resource for amateur astronomy in central Iowa. It remains one of the region's premier public observing sites.

Visiting Ashton Observatory

The observatory is open to the public each Saturday evening from April through October, with free admission. Programs begin at 8:00 PM CDT with an astronomy-related lecture. Weather permitting, visitors then observe celestial objects through the 16-inch telescopes. Private group visits can be arranged for other nights, accommodating groups of up to 50 people for a modest fee.

See your named star from here

The observatory's 16-inch telescopes are well-suited for locating and viewing stars by their celestial coordinates. If you have purchased a named star, you could potentially spot it from Ashton during a public Saturday night or arrange a private viewing.