Fick Observatory
Satellite imagery: Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics
Fick Observatory once stood southwest of Boone, Iowa, as Iowa State University's dedicated astronomical facility.
About Fick Observatory
The observatory was owned and operated by Iowa State University and named after Erwin W. Fick, an amateur astronomer from Davenport, Iowa. It served the university's astronomy programs before closing in 2015.
History
Over its operating life, Fick Observatory contributed to astronomical education and research at Iowa State University, giving students hands-on experience with observational astronomy until it closed its doors in 2015.
Location & getting there
The site is located southwest of Boone, Iowa, in the United States, within the North America region on Star Register.
Visiting Fick Observatory
As the observatory closed in 2015, it is no longer operating as a public viewing site. Anyone interested in its current status should check with Iowa State University directly.
See your named star from here
Even though Fick Observatory itself is closed, the idea behind it lives on: a named star from Star Register comes with real coordinates that a working telescope elsewhere can be pointed at. Name a star or browse the star catalogue.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check Google Maps for current times before you travel.
