Wise Observatory
Image: Wikimedia Commons
The Florence and George Wise Observatory, usually known as Wise Observatory, sits on the edge of the Ramon Crater in Israel's Negev desert, about 5 kilometres (3.1 miles) west of Mitzpe Ramon.
About Wise Observatory
Founded in 1971 and owned and operated by Tel Aviv University, Wise Observatory is the only professional astronomical observatory in Israel. It carries the official IAU observatory code 097, marking it as a recognised site for astronomical observations.
Location & getting there
Sitting at 875 metres elevation in the Negev desert near the Ramon Crater, the observatory benefits from dark, dry, high-altitude skies well away from major cities, conditions that make the Negev one of Israel's best regions for astronomy.
Visiting Wise Observatory
As Tel Aviv University's dedicated research facility, Wise Observatory is primarily a working scientific site; anyone hoping to visit should check the current access details published by the university's astrophysics group before travelling.
See your named star from here
As Israel's only professional observatory, Wise Observatory has spent decades tracking precise sky coordinates, the same kind assigned to every star named through Star Register. Browse the catalogue or name a star of your own.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check the official website and Google Maps for current times before you travel.
