Madison-YRS observatory

Madison-YRS Observatory, also known as the Yanna Research Station, is the dedicated dark-sky observing site of the Madison Astronomical Society, located in Green County, roughly 25 minutes south of Madison, Wisconsin.

About Madison-YRS Observatory

The site is named after LeRoy Yanna, who donated the land it sits on. It is run by the Madison Astronomical Society, a club founded in 1935, and today offers members multiple observatories on site along with concrete pads and electrical service for setting up personal equipment.

History

The Madison Astronomical Society itself dates back to 1935, and the Yanna Research Station carries that long tradition into a dedicated, darker-sky location outside the city.

Location & getting there

The site sits in Green County, Wisconsin, about 25 minutes' drive south of Madison — far enough from the city to offer noticeably darker skies for observing.

Visiting Madison-YRS Observatory

The facilities include a heated and air-conditioned clubhouse and a vault toilet, and the site hosts star parties, an annual picnic, and other member events. Use of the site is exclusive to Madison Astronomical Society members and their guests, generally after training; check the society's website for membership and event details.

See your named star from here

A club observing field built by amateur astronomers, for amateur astronomers, is exactly the kind of place where a named star's coordinates get put to use: set up a telescope, dial in the right ascension and declination, and find it. Name a star and look up its position in our catalogue.