Litchfield Observatory

Litchfield Observatory has been part of Hamilton College's campus in Clinton, New York since 1856, and remains connected to one of the most prolific asteroid hunters of the 19th century.

About Litchfield Observatory

Founded in 1856, the observatory is associated with Hamilton College. Astronomer Christian Peters worked from the original building and discovered approximately 48 asteroids during his career there, an extraordinary output for the era.

History

The original Litchfield Observatory was destroyed by fire. It was later rebuilt about a quarter-mile from the main Hamilton College campus, roughly 100 feet from College Hill Road, using stone from the same quarry as the original structure. The rebuilt observatory carries the IAU observatory code 789 and today runs on solar power, with access available for student use.

Location & getting there

The observatory sits on Hamilton College's grounds in Clinton, New York, in the state's Mohawk Valley region.

Visiting Litchfield Observatory

As a college facility primarily used for teaching and student access, visitors should check with Hamilton College directly for any public viewing opportunities before planning a trip.

See your named star from here

Christian Peters spent his career pinning down the precise coordinates of new objects in the sky, work that echoes what happens with every star we name. If you'd like to name a star of your own, complete with its own coordinates, explore our naming packages or browse the star catalogue.