Stamford observatory

Stamford Observatory sits at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center in Connecticut, where astronomy programming has run since 1941 and a brand-new facility now houses the state's largest public research telescope.

About Stamford Observatory

The observatory is part of the Stamford Museum & Nature Center at 39 Scofieldtown Road, Stamford, Connecticut. Its centrepiece is a 14-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain reflecting telescope, described as the largest public research telescope in Connecticut, alongside a 152 mm Lunt hydrogen-alpha solar telescope that filters out 99% of the sun's light for safe daytime solar viewing.

History

Astronomy programming at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center dates back to 1941. In 2024, a new $16 million astronomy centre opened on the site, built around a 100-seat planetarium with a 40-foot dome, two 4K digital full-dome projectors, and a surround-sound system, alongside the observatory itself.

Telescopes & research

Beyond the main 14-inch reflector and the Lunt solar telescope, the site's accessible roof deck gives visitors a direct view of the night sky, pairing hands-on observing with the planetarium's digital shows.

Location & getting there

The observatory is in Stamford, Connecticut, part of our North America region listings, within the grounds of the Stamford Museum & Nature Center.

Visiting Stamford Observatory

Planetarium shows run on weekday afternoons from Wednesday to Friday, plus Friday evenings, and the observatory itself opens whenever skies are clear. Check the museum's current schedule before visiting, since evening observing sessions depend on the weather.

See your named star from here

With Connecticut's largest public research telescope and a dedicated solar telescope on site, Stamford Observatory is a strong choice for trying to spot a star named through star-register.eu. Browse the star catalogue or choose a naming package to get its coordinates, then ask staff about viewing it during an open session.