Phoebe Waterman Haas Public Observatory
Image: Wikimedia Commons
The Phoebe Waterman Haas Public Observatory sits on the east terrace of the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
About the observatory
Opened in 2009 as part of the International Year of Astronomy celebrations, the observatory was established through a $6 million donation from the Thomas W. Haas Foundation. It is named for Phoebe Waterman Haas, an astronomer of the early 20th century who was among the first women to earn a PhD in astronomy and is believed to be the first woman to operate a major telescope, the 36-inch refractor at Lick Observatory.
Telescopes & research
The observatory's primary instrument is a 16-inch telescope, supported by a Sun Gun Telescope and other equipment for solar observation, allowing visitors to safely view the Sun as well as night-sky objects.
Location & getting there
The observatory is located on the east terrace of the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., in the North America region — easy to reach as part of a museum visit in the city.
Visiting the observatory
The observatory is currently undergoing revitalization, with a planned reopening in 2026. Check the National Air and Space Museum's website for the latest updates before planning a visit.
See your named star from here
Once reopened, a public observatory like this is a great place to ask staff to point a telescope at the coordinates of a star you've named through Star Register. Look up your star's position in our star catalogue ahead of your visit.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check Google Maps for current times before you travel.
