4/8/22 Detroit Observatory ReOpening event.
Visiting the Observatory
What's Happening
Visiting Overview
Plan Your Visit
Contact Us
Calendar of Events
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A Library for All: U-M, Google, and the Importance of a Copy
Can a universal library be achieved? It is an age-old dream. Google Books and HathiTrust have endeavored to fulfill it in the modern age. They are now well-established digital archives, used by citizens, scholars, and students from around the world. The path to their creation was filled with aspirations and visions, obstacles and hurdles, negotiations... |
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Seeing in Depth: Mars
As the Earth passes by Mars, the Detroit Observatory takes a closer looks at our solar system's rusty, red neighbor. The Detroit Observatory's Seeing in Depth programs are a chance to take a closer look at some of the people, places, and sciences from the observatory's history. Mars has occupied the imagination of earthlings for... |
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Science @DO: “Mirror, mirror in the basement…” with Prof. Pat Seitzer
"Mirror, mirror in the basement, what is the faintest star you can see?" Science@DO is joined by U-M Astronomy Professor Emeritus Pat Seitzer to share the story of a giant telescope mirror that once lived in the Detroit Observatory basement and found a home in a telescope across the Atlantic Ocean. "In the 1930s the... |
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Astronomy Night Open House
Explore the heavens during one of our astronomy nights. 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. February telescope sights: Mars, Orion Nebula, Sirius, star clusters Please note: astronomy events at... |
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Movie Night: “Big Astronomy” w/ Dr. Shannon Schmoll
The Detroit Observatory is excited to present Big Astronomy, featuring MSU Abrams Planetarium Director, Dr. Shannon Schmoll, as part of our monthly Movie Night series. Each Movie Night showcases a documentary or feature film, followed by a conversation with experts on the subject matter or production. Film screening begins at 7PM, followed by a conversation with Dr.... |
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Astronomy Night Open House
Explore the heavens during one of our astronomy nights. 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. March telescope sights: Mars, Orion Nebula, Sirius, star clusters Please note: astronomy events at... |
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Astronomy Night Open House
Explore the heavens during one of our astronomy nights. 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. February telescope sights: Mars, Orion Nebula, Sirius, star clusters Please note: astronomy events at... |
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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.
Programs
Astronomy Programs
See the Heavens!
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
Travel Back in Time!
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.
U-M History Walking Tours
Explore Where History Happened!
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.
Making Michigan
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.
Exhibits
Engage with the Past!
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
November 26-28, 2026
December 24, 2026-January 2, 2027
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.
Safety Protocols and FAQs
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.