Sherzer Observatory

Sherzer Observatory sits on the campus of Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan, with roots going back to the early 1900s.

About Sherzer Observatory

Sherzer Observatory is a campus astronomical observatory that has served Eastern Michigan University's science programs for well over a century, surviving a fire and a full rebuild along the way.

History

The observatory was established in 1903 alongside the construction of the university's new Natural Science Building. A devastating fire destroyed the facility in 1989, and a new observatory reopened in September 1991 with fresh equipment under a new dome.

Telescopes & research

The rebuilt observatory houses a 10-inch (250 mm) apochromatic refractor telescope on a German equatorial mount, centred under a 6-metre dome, giving students and visitors sharp, high-contrast views for teaching and observation.

Location & getting there

Sherzer Observatory is located on the Eastern Michigan University campus in Ypsilanti, Michigan, in the North America region, a short drive from Ann Arbor and the greater Detroit area.

Visiting Sherzer Observatory

As a university facility, Sherzer Observatory is typically used for coursework and scheduled public viewing nights. Check with Eastern Michigan University's physics and astronomy department for current opening times before visiting.

See your named star from here

Sherzer's 10-inch apochromatic refractor is well suited to picking out individual stars by their coordinates, including a star named in someone's honour. Name a star and find it in the catalogue.