Observatories are home to some of the biggest and most impressive telescopes in the world. As many amateur astronomers know, there are numerous ways to experience the night sky beyond looking through a telescope in your own backyard. Indiana has impressive observatories that offer a wide variety of star parties, tours, and observatory programs that will expand your knowledge of astronomy and your love of the night sky, whether you are new to astronomy or have been in the hobby for years.
For your convenience, we have compiled an alphabetical list of observatories in Indiana that offer programs for the public.
Disclaimer: This information was collected from the observatories’ websites in May 2024. Some information may be subject to change if the websites are updated. If interested in visiting one of the listed observatories, please contact the observatory for the latest information before you visit.
Charles S. Morris Observatory
The Charles S. Morris Observatory is located in North Manchester, Indiana. It was built in 1973 with funds from the family, friends, and former students of Dr. Charles S. Morris. Morris was a distinguished physics professor in Manchester for thirty-six years.
Telescope
The Charles S. Morris Observatory has a 14-foot motorized dome on which a 10” Newtonian reflecting telescope is located. Other telescopes are housed in the adjacent laboratory.
Image Credit: Charles S. Morris Observatory
Goethe Link Observatory
The Goethe Link Observatory, commonly known as the Link Observatory, is located three miles south of Mooresville, Indiana. The observatory became operational in 1939 and was used to recover asteroids that had lost their orbits during the 1950s and 1960s. It is currently operated by the Indiana University School of Astronomy, the Link Observatory Space Science Institute, and the Indiana Astronomical Society.
Telescopes
The Link Observatory houses a 36” folded Cassegrain reflecting telescope.
Visiting
The Link Observatory was initially built as a private observatory. For information on visiting and events, contact the Indiana Astronomical Society or the Link Observatory Space Science Institute.
Image Credit: Lee Lewellen
Holcomb Observatory
The Holcomb University and Planetarium is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is operated by Butler University. Holcomb is one of the largest observatories in the world and has the ninth-largest telescope East of the Mississippi River.
Telescope
The main telescope at Holcomb University is a 38” Cassegrain reflecting telescope. The observatory also houses a number of smaller telescopes.
Visiting
The observatory offers regular visitor tours and group tours. Special events for the observatory and planetarium can be found here.
Image Credit: Butler University Holcomb Observatory
John C. Hook Memorial Observatory
The John C. Hook Memorial Observatory is run by Indiana State University’s College of Arts and Sciences. The observatory is located on the ISU campus in Terre Haute, Indiana.
Visiting
The John Hook Memorial Observatory offers nighttime viewing sessions from 8 pm to 10 pm on Thursday evenings, weather permitting. It’s recommended to check the observatory’s social media channels to see if it is open on a certain day. Visiting the observatory is free and open to the public.
Image Credit: John C. Hook Memorial Observatory
Kirkwood Observatory
The Kirkwood Observatory is located in Bloomington, Indiana, and is managed by Indiana University Bloomington’s Department of Astronomy.
Visiting
The Kirkwood Observatory is open to the public each Wednesday evening from Spring after Break until before Thanksgiving, weather permitting. No reservations are required. Check their schedule to learn more before visiting the observatory.
Image Credit: Indiana University Bloomington
McKim Observatory
McKim Observatory, managed by DePauw University, is on the National Register of Historic Places and was built in 1884. Washington C. DePauw, who became the president of the university's board of trustees in 1881, convinced his friend, Robert McKim, that the university needed an observatory. McKim agreed to donate a hefty sum of money for the project and cemented his place as the observatory’s namesake. It is located in Greencastle, Indiana.
Telescopes
The McKim Observatory still houses many of the original instruments, such as the 9.53” Clark refracting telescope, a Fuath and Co. meridian circle transit 16” telescope, and a gravity-driven brass chronograph. It is also home to some Celestron telescopes.
Visiting
This observatory is open to the public during open houses, weather permitting. The observatory also offers special tours to groups. To arrange a visit, visitors are asked to contact the Department of Physics and Astronomy. The contact information and open house schedule can be found here.
Image Credit: DePauw University
Oakley Observatory
The Oakley Observatory, founded in 2000, is located in Haute, Indiana, and is managed by the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. It aims to aid students in their education by providing hands-on experience in astronomy.
Visiting
The Oakley Observatory offers regular open houses for the local community. Admission is free to the public.
Image Credit: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Prairie Grass Observatory
The Prairie Grass Observatory is located at Camp Cullom, a non-profit camp between Mulberry and Frankfort, Indiana. Its unique name comes from its location in the middle of one of the largest stands of native prairie grass in the state! The observatory opened on Friday, July 20th, 2001, and has been serving the public ever since.
Telescopes
The Prairie Grass Observatory is home to four telescopes: a 28” aperture Dobsonian, a 16” Meade LX200R Schmidt-Cassegrain, a 16” Newtonian telescope, and a 7” apochromatic refractor. It also has a pair of giant 25/40X100 binoculars and a hydrogen-alpha filter for solar viewing.
Visiting
The observatory offers many open house events for the public. The schedule can be found here. These open houses are free of charge. The observatory also offers an annual regional event called the Indiana Family Star Party. The dates change each year, and the website should be consulted for the correct date. There is a charge for the regional event.
Image Credit: Prairie Grass Observatory
South Harrison Observatory
South Harrison Observatory is managed by Jefferson Community & Technical College and is located in South Harrison Park between Laconia and Elizabeth, Indiana.
Visiting
Two public observing sessions are offered at the South Harrison Observatory each month. During these events, the observatory staff is on hand to help people view through the telescopes and answer questions. The observatory also offers evening and daytime programs. Check out their Hours page to learn more about these programs.
Image Credit: South Harrison Observatory
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