Detroit Observatory is attending an event.

3 days ago

Celebrate the start of Wolverine football season with a journey through U-M’s past! On September 5 from 12-5 pm the Judy and Stanley Frankel Detroit Observatory will screen vintage Michigan football films on its 14-foot video screen alongside a pop-up exhibit of historic football materials from the Bentley Historical Library. 🏈

Archivists will be there to share stories, answer questions, and help bring maize-and-blue history to life! 〽️ Find more information on our website: detroitobservatory.umich.edu/event/vintage-victors-historic-u-m-football-films/ ... See MoreSee Less

Detroit Observatory

4 days ago

There’s more to the Observatory than the stars! Beyond its astronomical heritage, the Observatory is also a gateway to campus history. 🏛️

Join us on student-led campus walking tours and discover the stories and places that have shaped our campus, including tours "Creating Michigan" and "Paths of Protest."

Our website calendar is updated with this semester’s tour and event offerings. Find a date and join us!

🎟️ Registration required, sign up via our website: detroitobservatory.umich.edu/visit/month/2026-09/ ... See MoreSee Less

Detroit Observatory

4 weeks ago

For over 170 years, the Observatory has watched campus transform—and campus has watched the Observatory transform, too! In 1908, a classroom wing was added where the modern addition stands today, shown here in this early photo. 📸

The classroom wing also included a larger observatory dome equipped with a 37.5-inch reflecting telescope. Parts of the telescope were built in the Observatory Shop, which was formerly located in the basement of the Observatory! 🔭 ... See MoreSee Less