John Payson Williston Observatory
Image: Wikimedia Commons
The John Payson Williston Observatory occupies the highest point on the Mount Holyoke College campus in Massachusetts, a modest 19th-century building with a notable telescope inside.
About John Payson Williston Observatory
Constructed in 1881, the observatory is maintained and operated by the Mount Holyoke College Astronomy Department. It houses a rare 8-inch Alvan Clark refractor, made just before Clark's death in 1887.
Location & getting there
The observatory sits at the highest point of the Mount Holyoke College campus in Massachusetts, United States.
Visiting John Payson Williston Observatory
Check with the Mount Holyoke College Astronomy Department or the college's official website for current public viewing opportunities before planning a visit.
See your named star from here
The historic Alvan Clark refractor here can be aimed at the coordinates of a named star just as it has tracked the sky for well over a century. Look up any star's exact position in the star catalogue.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check the official website and Google Maps for current times before you travel.
