Sayre Observatory

Sayre Observatory is a historic astronomical building on the campus of Lehigh University in South Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, dating back to the earliest years of the university itself.

About Sayre Observatory

The observatory takes its name from Robert Sayre, a partner in the Lehigh Valley Railroad and an original member of the university's Board of Trustees, who supported the project in its founding years.

History

Sayre Observatory was established in 1868, making it one of the older purpose-built observatories at an American university. It operated under the direction of astronomer C. L. Doolittle for around twenty years, a period during which it built its reputation for careful positional observation.

Telescopes & research

The observatory's zenith telescope recorded observations from April 1876 to December 1893 and again from January 1894 to August 1895. A brass transit instrument made by Buff & Buff of Boston was later installed and remained in use from around 1910 until 1961, giving the site nearly a century of documented astronomical work.

Location & getting there

The observatory building still stands on the Lehigh University campus in South Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, though it no longer functions as an active observatory.

Visiting Sayre Observatory

Since the building is preserved but no longer operates for astronomical observing, anyone interested in seeing it should check with Lehigh University directly about current campus access rather than expecting a working telescope on site.

See your named star from here

Although Sayre Observatory's own telescope has long since fallen silent, the coordinates it once used to track the sky work exactly the same way today. A named star's right ascension and declination can still be found from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, using a modern telescope or stargazing app on any clear night. Explore our star-naming packages or find an active observatory in the observatory catalogue.