Mark Evans Observatory
Satellite imagery: Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics
On the campus of Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois, the Mark Evans Observatory has an unusually starry origin story: its cornerstone was laid by an Apollo astronaut.
About Mark Evans Observatory
The observatory was completed in 1970, with its cornerstone laid on 18 March 1969 by Frank Borman, commander of the Apollo 8 mission. It cost roughly $90,000 to build, a third of which was donated by Nan Morgan Evans in memory of her late husband Mark Evans, a longtime member of the university's board. Architect Orme Evans designed the building.
Telescopes & research
The observatory's telescope was built for viewing the Moon and planets, and the site also displays a collection of meteorites for public viewing.
Location & getting there
Mark Evans Observatory is located on the Illinois Wesleyan University campus in Bloomington, in central Illinois.
Visiting Mark Evans Observatory
The observatory is open to the public for tours and events; check the university or local library listings for the current schedule before visiting.
See your named star from here
A university observatory like this one is exactly the kind of place where staff can point a telescope toward the coordinates of a named star. Name a star or browse the catalogue of stars already registered.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check Google Maps for current times before you travel.
