Ball State University Observatory
Satellite imagery: Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics
On the roof of the Cooper Science Building in Muncie, Indiana, Ball State University Observatory gives students and visitors a close-up view of the night sky. It is a working teaching facility rather than a research institution, and shares its campus with the well-known Charles W. Brown Planetarium.
About Ball State University Observatory
The observatory is a collection of five permanently mounted telescopes atop the Cooper Science Building on Ball State's campus. Its largest instrument is a 16-inch Meade LX200, and the site is used primarily for undergraduate astronomy classes rather than professional research.
Telescopes & research
Alongside the flagship 16-inch Meade LX200, the rooftop array includes four further telescopes for classroom instruction. A recent renovation of Cooper Science re-established the rooftop observatory with new automation for streamlined use.
Location & getting there
The observatory is located on Ball State University's campus in Muncie, Indiana, in the North America region, atop the Cooper Science Building alongside the university's planetarium.
Visiting Ball State University Observatory
The observatory hosts public observation events for enthusiasts in addition to its teaching role. For current schedules, it's best to check with Ball State's Department of Physics and Astronomy or the Charles W. Brown Planetarium before visiting.
See your named star from here
With five telescopes to work with, staff here could in theory be pointed toward the coordinates of any named star. Explore the naming packages or search the star catalogue to find a star of your own.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check Google Maps for current times before you travel.
