Olin Observatory

On the campus of Connecticut College in New London, Olin Observatory gives students and the public a modern window on the night sky, just steps from the F.W. Olin Science Center.

About Olin Observatory

Olin Observatory is owned and operated by Connecticut College and forms part of the F.W. Olin Science Center. It sits at a modest elevation of roughly 100 feet above sea level and is used for undergraduate instruction as well as regular public stargazing nights.

Telescopes & research

The observatory's main instrument is a 14-inch PlaneWave CDK350 reflecting telescope, installed in 2025. Connecticut College also maintains a historic 1881 Alvan Clark refracting telescope at its older observatory atop Frederic Bill Hall, giving visitors a chance to compare a modern research-grade instrument with a piece of 19th-century optical engineering.

Location & getting there

Olin Observatory is located in New London, Connecticut, in the northeastern United States.

Visiting Olin Observatory

Connecticut College runs public stargazing events throughout the academic year, timed around meteor showers, aurora activity, eclipses and other notable night-sky events. Check the college's science facilities page for the current schedule before visiting.

See your named star from here

The 14-inch telescope at Olin Observatory can be aimed at any set of coordinates in the sky, including those of a star named just for you. Name a star, or look up existing names in our star catalogue.