Welcome to the Detroit Observatory, where Michigan’s History is Written in the Stars

Upcoming Events

Dec. 1, 2023

Friday / 8:00 PM

Seeing in Depth: A Trip Through the Solar System

Dec. 7, 2023

Thursday / 7:00 PM

Making Michigan: “Four Years of ‘Making Michigan’ and Four Decades at Michigan: Some Reflections”

Dec. 8, 2023

Friday / 8:30 PM

Astronomy Night

Plan to See
the Stars

The Observatory is open for walk-ins every Friday from noon to 5pm and will have public events Friday evenings and some Thursdays. Please check our calendar on the Visit page.

Check our calendar for details! Advanced registration is required for most events.

Keep Exploring

Rediscover the Detroit
Observatory

Take a virtual tour of this newly reimagined, one-of-a-kind place, where the spirit of science and discovery link the past and present.

Fitz Refracting Telescope

When it was installed in 1857, the Fitz telescope was the third-largest refracting telescope in the world. More than 20 asteroids and 3 comets were discovered by astronomers looking through its lens. Today, visitors can still see the stars through this working instrument.

Meridian Circle Telescope

Built in 1854, this telescope’s purpose was measuring with extreme precision the position of stars and other celestial bodies. It was designed for research and as a time-setting tool for business and railroad stations throughout the state. It was the most cutting-edge technology for its time.

Are You Interested in Helping Detroit Observatory Visitors Explore the Sky and Discover the Past?

Would you like to give history tours of the Detroit Observatory or of the University of Michigan campus? Help educate visitors using Observatory exhibits and facilities? Develop and mount exhibits on astronomy, other sciences, the history of U-M, and more?

A docent is a person who acts as an educator and guide at a museum or, in this case, an historic observatory. Their job is to help visitors have the best experience they can.

There are two kinds of docents at the Detroit Observatory: Astronomy Docents, who help with telescope operation and astronomy presentations, and U-M History docents, who help with history tours, presentations, and exhibits. Our docents will receive extensive training relevant to their responsibilities., Prior experience in operating telescopes, giving tours, or understanding U-M history is not necessary.

We do not have docent positions open at this time, but please check back because we expect to do more hiring in the future.

At a Glance

Quick facts about the Detroit Observatory

Watson’s Notebook

As a young student at the Detroit Observatory in the 1850s, James Watson learned about not just astronomy but also the fame it could bring. In his notebook, the ambitious Watson imagined a future of a myriad of accolades. While particular honorifics eluded him, he would go on to have a highly successful career in Ann Arbor, winning the LaLande Prize from the French Academy of Sciences and an honorary doctorate from Leipzig – all from using the Detroit Observatory’s refracting telescope.

Discovery of Neptune

On September 23, 1846, Franz Brünnow, who later became the director of the Detroit Observatory, went to the Royal Observatory at Berlin for the discovery of Neptune, a seminal moment in the history of astronomy. As Neptune was the first planet discovered based on prediction rather than chance, this finding marked new territory for astronomical discoveries.

The Observatory sits for a portrait

In September 1855, Jasper Cropsey, of the Hudson School of painters, visited President Tappan in Ann Arbor. During his visit, Cropsey painted the Detroit Observatory, creating the earliest extant image of the building. Viewers often notice the Observatory appears pink in Cropsey’s painting, most likely because the white stucco finish had not yet been applied to the underlying brick wall. The painting now hangs in the University of Michigan Museum of Art.

Statue of Nydia

Having studied Beethoven in his youth, Franz Brünnow, the Observatory’s first Director, was a gifted pianist. Brünnow, along with his wife Rebecca Tappan and Professor Andrew Frieze, performed in multiple amateur concerts to fundraise for the University’s 1862 purchase of a statue of Nydia, the visually impaired flower girl of Pompeii from Edward Bulwer-Lytton’s The Last Days of Pompeii. The statue was sculpted by Randolph Rogers, who grew up in Ann Arbor, and is now displayed in the University of Michigan Museum of Art.

Watson’s first discovery

On September 14, 1863, astronomer James Craig Watson discovered his first asteroid, naming it Eurynome (79 Eurynome). Over the next 15 years, a total of 100 asteroids would be discovered worldwide – an impressive 21 of which were discovered by Watson. He discovered six in 1868 alone, an outstanding accomplishment made possible only by his rigorous mathematics, detailed charts, prodigious memory, and keen observing ability.

Raising Funds for the Detroit Observatory

On December 29, 1852, in an effort to gain funding for an observatory at the University of Michigan, Detroit lawyer and businessman Henry Walker arranged for President Tappan to meet at the Michigan Exchange Hotel with a group of prominent Detroit citizens. The group quickly contributed $7,500 (about $250,000 adjusted for modern times), with more funds soon following. Upon the Observatory completion, Tappan named it in recognition of these Detroiters who had made it possible.

Annette Waite Watson

In the nineteenth century, the vast majority of astronomers were men and little acknowledgement was given to the vital role their wives played in their work. James Craig Watson’s wife, Annette Waite Watson, accompanied him on many of his expeditions. She would mark time during astronomical events for the observers with a chronometer, or even sketch the event herself. These sketches were then published in the official expedition reports. Although seldom recognized, Annette’s work, and that of other historical women, contributed greatly to astronomical science.

Prev
Next

The Detroit Observatory on Facebook

Follow Us
Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

Meet some of our amazing student docents we have here at the Detroit Observatory!

Sam is a junior majoring in Biochemistry and Interdisciplinary Astronomy. At the Observatory, he helps operate the Fitz telescope as well as guide tours through our historic building.

Sanil is an Astronomy docent and as part of his work here, he takes images with the Fitz Refractor telescope, curates outreach events, and gives tours of both telescopes during open houses and other events. As he is fascinated by the vastness and beauty of space, his favorite part of working at the Observatory is capturing and subsequently working with space images and seeing people’s reactions when they look through our telescopes.

Fiona is a part the observatory's history docent team and a graduate student in the U-M School of Information. Since joining the observatory, she has since been an excellent storyteller for many of our tours and programs. Fiona enjoys sharing the little quirks in our history, such as the U-M's original name, Catholepistemiad, and she is eager to develop future exhibits at the observatory.

Students like Sam, Sanil, and Fiona are at the center of our work at the Detroit Observatory, developing and giving tours, operating the telescopes, doing research, making presentations, and creating exhibits. This Giving Tuesday, you can help give them the tools that they need to do their excellent and exciting work. myumi.ch/2mEEz
... See MoreSee Less

Meet some of our amazing student docents we have here at the Detroit Observatory! 

Sam is a junior majoring in Biochemistry and Interdisciplinary Astronomy. At the Observatory, he helps operate the Fitz telescope as well as guide tours through our historic building. 

Sanil is an Astronomy docent and as part of his work here, he takes images with the Fitz Refractor telescope, curates outreach events, and gives tours of both telescopes during open houses and other events. As he is fascinated by the vastness and beauty of space, his favorite part of working at the Observatory is capturing and subsequently working with space images and seeing people’s reactions when they look through our telescopes.

Fiona is a part the observatorys history docent team and a graduate student in the U-M School of Information. Since joining the observatory, she has since been an excellent storyteller for many of our tours and programs. Fiona enjoys sharing the little quirks in our history, such as the U-Ms original name, Catholepistemiad, and she is eager to develop future exhibits at the observatory. 

Students like Sam, Sanil, and Fiona are at the center of our work at the Detroit Observatory, developing and giving tours, operating the telescopes, doing research, making presentations, and creating exhibits.  This Giving Tuesday, you can help give them the tools that they need to do their excellent and exciting work. myumi.ch/2mEEzImage attachment

The Detroit Observatory will be closed this Friday and will not be having it's usual open hours. We hope you all have a fantastic Thanksgiving! 🦃 ... See MoreSee Less

The Detroit Observatory will be closed this Friday and will not be having its usual open hours. We hope you all have a fantastic Thanksgiving! 🦃
2 weeks ago
Detroit Observatory

Come explore the heavens during our Friday astronomy night! 👨‍🚀🪐🌔✨

Open houses involve presentations on a range of fascinating astronomical phenomena, instruction on the telescopes, and, when weather permits, observing with our beautiful historic Fitz telescope as well as modern supplemental telescopes.

Please note: astronomy events at the Observatory take place even if the weather does not permit observing. We offer unique tour and telescope demos when we can't observe the night sky. Tickets are required, and open house registrations are capped at 100 guests. You can arrive anytime from 8:30 pm to 10 pm. You will be given a time slot for visiting the dome. While you are waiting, check out other features and presentations.

Register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/astronomy-night-tickets-750170138077?aff=oddtdtcreator
... See MoreSee Less

Come explore the heavens during our Friday astronomy night! 👨‍🚀🪐🌔✨

Open houses involve presentations on a range of fascinating astronomical phenomena, instruction on the telescopes, and, when weather permits, observing with our beautiful historic Fitz telescope as well as modern supplemental telescopes.

Please note: astronomy events at the Observatory take place even if the weather does not permit observing. We offer unique tour and telescope demos when we cant observe the night sky. Tickets are required, and open house registrations are capped at 100 guests. You can arrive anytime from 8:30 pm to 10 pm. You will be given a time slot for visiting the dome. While you are waiting, check out other features and presentations.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/astronomy-night-tickets-750170138077?aff=oddtdtcreator

1 CommentComment on Facebook

🌙 ✨

back to top