Phillips Academy Observatory
Satellite imagery: Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics
Phillips Academy Observatory sits on the roof of the Gelb Science Center at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts.
About Phillips Academy Observatory
Installed in 2004, the observatory belongs to Phillips Academy, the oldest incorporated academy in the United States, founded in 1778. It features a rotating 360-degree dome housing a computer-controlled 16-inch DFM Schmidt-Cassegrain reflector as its primary instrument.
Telescopes & research
Alongside its main 16-inch reflector, the observatory is equipped with a Lunt Solar Systems 60mm hydrogen-alpha refractor and an Orion Premium 102mm ED refractor for additional observing. A spectrograph and an SBIG large-format CCD camera with Bessel UBVRI photometric filters allow for more advanced imaging and analysis.
Location & getting there
The observatory is located in Andover, Massachusetts, in the North America region, atop the Gelb Science Center on the Phillips Academy campus.
Visiting Phillips Academy Observatory
Public stargazing events are held on Wednesdays at dusk, around 7:30pm, weather permitting, run with volunteers from the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club. Check ahead, as sessions depend on clear skies.
See your named star from here
With a computer-controlled telescope and a dedicated astronomy club on hand, Phillips Academy Observatory is well placed to help locate a star you've named through Star Register. Look up its exact coordinates in our star catalogue before a Wednesday stargazing night.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check Google Maps for current times before you travel.
