McCormick Observatory

McCormick Observatory sits atop Mount Jefferson, known locally as Observatory Hill, on the edge of Charlottesville, Virginia, where it has been part of the University of Virginia's astronomy programme for well over a century.

About McCormick Observatory

The observatory is operated by the University of Virginia's Department of Astronomy and is named for Leander J. McCormick (1819–1900), the Chicago industrialist whose funding paid for the telescope and building. It houses a large refracting telescope that, at completion, was the largest of its kind in America and today still ranks as the tenth largest refractor in the world.

History

Construction ran from 1882 to 1884, and the observatory was formally dedicated on April 13, 1885 — deliberately chosen as Thomas Jefferson's birthday, given the University of Virginia's Jeffersonian roots.

Telescopes & research

The historic refractor at the heart of the dome remains a working instrument, and the observatory continues to support astronomical study at the university while also serving as a focal point for public engagement with the night sky.

Location & getting there

McCormick Observatory is just outside Charlottesville in Albemarle County, on the summit of Mount Jefferson within the university's grounds.

Visiting McCormick Observatory

The University of Virginia runs a public night program at the observatory, giving visitors a chance to look through the historic refractor. Check the department's public outreach website before you go, as sessions depend on weather and the academic calendar.

See your named star from here

Because McCormick's telescope can be aimed at any set of celestial coordinates, staff running a public night can locate the exact position of a named star once given its right ascension and declination. Look up your star's details in the star catalogue before your visit.