4/8/22 Detroit Observatory ReOpening event.
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Walking Tour: Creating Michigan: Key Moments in U-M’s Early History
Explore the first 70 years of U-M history, from the University’s Native American land accession and its origins in Detroit in 1817 to its move to Ann Arbor and emergence as a research university after 1837. We’ll traverse the original 40-acre campus, learning about the professors, presidents, and students who walked the Diag nearly two...
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Telescope Observing
Join us to observe the night sky with the 1857 Fitz telescope and our collection of modern instruments. Located on Central Campus next to Alice Lloyd Hall and Couzens Hall. Free admission; no registration required. The Observatory will be open for exploration even if the weather does not permit telescope observing. We strive to always... |
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Astrophotography for Beginners
From image composition to camera settings to choosing your subject, learn everything you need to know to produce a stellar astronomical photo. Bring a camera if you have one—and a desire to experiment. Learners of all ages and experience levels are welcome! Part of the Imagining the Cosmos series.
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Telescope Observing
Join us to observe the night sky with the 1857 Fitz telescope and our collection of modern instruments. Located on Central Campus next to Alice Lloyd Hall and Couzens Hall. Free admission; no registration required. The Observatory will be open for exploration even if the weather does not permit telescope observing. We strive to always... |
3 events,
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Saturday Open House
Make the Observatory part of your weekend! Tour the historic building, view our exhibits, participate in astronomy activities, and view the sun with our solar telescope (weather dependent). Families welcome, admission is always free. Registration not required.
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Walking Tour: The Origins of the Law Quadrangle
Many associate the architecture of the University of Michigan Law Quadrangle with the Renaissance, the Ivy League, or even Hogwarts. While strolling through the Quad, we’ll discuss the buildings from conception to construction and the Law School’s influence on social issues and legal education. Guided tour led by student docents. Duration: 1.5 hours; 0.5 miles....
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How the Sun Became a Movie Star
From stunning eclipse photos to the first motion pictures of the Sun, explore the fascinating history of solar research at U-M. Includes safe solar observation through modern telescopes (weather permitting). |
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Walking Tour: Invisible to Indispensable: Black Legacies at Michigan
Celebrate Juneteenth and explore the stories that have shaped the African American experience at the University of Michigan. We’ll learn about the pioneering students who redefined what it meant to belong at U-M and visit the places where campus social movements like the Black Action Movement and #BBUM coalesced. Guided walking tour developed and led...
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Telescope Observing
Join us to observe the night sky with the 1857 Fitz telescope and our collection of modern instruments. Located on Central Campus next to Alice Lloyd Hall and Couzens Hall. Free admission; no registration required. The Observatory will be open for exploration even if the weather does not permit telescope observing. We strive to always... |
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Asteroids Over Ann Arbor
U-M astronomer James Watson discovered 22 asteroids in the 19th century. Learn about Watson’s “bagging asteroids” and the exciting race for new planets. View images of asteroids and comets taken through the Observatory’s historic Fitz telescope. Includes night sky telescope observing (weather permitting).
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Telescope Observing
Join us to observe the night sky with the 1857 Fitz telescope and our collection of modern instruments. Located on Central Campus next to Alice Lloyd Hall and Couzens Hall. Free admission; no registration required. The Observatory will be open for exploration even if the weather does not permit telescope observing. We strive to always... |
3 events,
-
Saturday Open House
Make the Observatory part of your weekend! Tour the historic building, view our exhibits, participate in astronomy activities, and view the sun with our solar telescope (weather dependent). Families welcome, admission is always free. Registration not required.
-
Walking Tour: Paths of Protest: Stories of Campus Activism at the University of Michigan
The first teach-in. Lawsuits. Nazi resistance. U-M has long been home to activism, and this walking tour will visit historically significant locations where you will learn about protests on campus. We will cover women’s activism, the legacy of the Treaty of Fort Meigs, the Black Action Movement, anti-Vietnam War activism, and more. Guided walking tour...
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Telescope Observing
Join us to observe the night sky with the 1857 Fitz telescope and our collection of modern instruments. Located on Central Campus next to Alice Lloyd Hall and Couzens Hall. Free admission; no registration required. The Observatory will be open for exploration even if the weather does not permit telescope observing. We strive to always... |
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Observing the Heavens, Exploring the Past
Entry to the Observatory is free. Our docents and staff will be happy to guide you through the Observatory’s attractions, including our latest exhibits. Please check the events calendar for telescope viewing, exhibits, lectures, and other programs.
Need a special group tour? Use the form on the Contact Us page to get started. We also offer facility rental to U-M units.
Explore the night sky during one of our Telescope Observing or Seeing In Depth programs, typically offered on Friday evenings. Sessions involve presentations on a range of fascinating astronomical phenomena, instruction on the telescopes, and, when weather permits, observing with our 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 strive to always have interesting things for you to do!
Observatory tours cover both the historic building (1854) and the addition (2022). Learn about the telescopes, see why the observatory was constructed the way it was, hear about the astronomers who walked its floors in the 19th century — and the discoveries they made — and learn how the addition will ensure the Observatory remains relevant for the future. Tours are available during open hours, but sometimes pause during events and programs.
Our docent-led campus walking tours explore U-M and Ann Arbor history. Check the calendar for current offerings; tours pause during winter months. We also offer tours by request for groups of 5 or more (inquire here). Our current tour roster includes:
Creating Michigan: Key Moments in U-M’s Early History
Learn about the first 70 years of U-M history on the original 40-acre campus. 1.5 hours; 0.6 miles.
Forest Hill Cemetery
Explore this historic cemetery and learn about some of the notable people buried there. 1.5 hours; 1.4 miles.
Invisible to Indispensable: Black Legacies at Michigan
Dive into the stories that have shaped the African American experience at the University of Michigan.
1.5 hours; 1.4 miles
Origins of the Law Quadrangle
Learn about the architecture of the Law Quadrangle and the history of the Law School. 1.5 hours; 0.5 miles.
Paths of Protest: Stories of Campus Activism at the University of Michigan
Explore the history of campus protest at U-M, from the university’s early days to the present. 1.25 hours; 1.25 miles.
Join us for this series exploring the history of the University of Michigan from its origins in 1817 to the present. These monthly talks are offered September-May by the Bentley Historical Library and hosted by the Detroit Observatory. Check the calendar above for Making Michigan programs.
Our exhibition spaces explore the rich history of the Observatory and the University of Michigan, as well as the outstanding collections of the Bentley Historical Library. Learn more about what’s on view here. Exhibits are available for viewing during open hours and public programs.
Getting to the Observatory
The University of Michigan's Judy and Stanley Frankel Detroit Observatory is located at 1398 E. Ann Street, at the corner of Ann and Observatory Streets, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Please use the Observatory Street entrance to access the building.
The Observatory lives on U-M's Central Campus, in the Hill Area, near the U-M Medical Center and next to the Couzens and Alice Lloyd residence halls.
Hours
Thursdays: 12-5 pm
Fridays: 12-11 pm
Selected Saturdays: 12-5 pm (check calendar)
Closed:
May 23, 2026
July 3, 2026
August 13-14, 2026
Parking
Daytime Monday-Friday: Parking is extremely limited around the Observatory during the daytime, Monday through Friday. We recommend the University’s Palmer Drive Parking Structure, off Washtenaw Avenue by Palmer Commons, for daytime parking ($2.40/hour). The metered parking along Ann Street and Observatory Street is currently limited because of nearby construction projects.
Evenings and weekends: Some area lots and structures are open evenings and weekends. The University’s Ann Street Parking Structure (M86), Catherine Street Structure (M5), Glen Street Structure (M61), and School of Public Health II Lot (M28) are usually open after 6:00 pm on weekdays and all day on weekends.
Parking InformationAccessibility
The Detroit Observatory addition and the main floor of the Detroit Observatory building are fully handicapped accessible, but the dome is not, meaning that visitors with mobility issues will not have direct access to the Fitz telescope. Some events provide visitors indirect access to the telescope via video stream from the dome to the other levels of the Observatory. Visitors with accessibility concerns are advised to contact the Observatory for more information.
By Bus
The Detroit Observatory is served by Ann Arbor Transit Authority routes 4A and 32B and by U-M Commuter North, Commuter South, and Northwood bus routes.
And please check here for things to take into account when visiting: safety protocols, do’s and don’ts, what to wear, and what you can expect. Please be advised that some locations, such as the dome, are tight spaces where social distancing is not possible.
