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. Tennessee 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 Tennessee that offer programs for the public.
Disclaimer: This information was collected from the observatories’ websites in April 2026. 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.
Clarence Jones Observatory
The Clarence T. Jones Observatory was built in 1936 for the local school system, and it was the first large public observatory in the south. The featured Cassegrain telescope was not included in the grant used to build the observatory and was constructed in 1937 with the help of Clarence T. Jones, his sons Arthur and Bruce, and several local engineers and businesses. The observatory is located 4.5 miles east of the University of Tennessee Chattanooga.
Telescopes
The featured telescope at the Clarence T. Jones Observatory is the historic 20.5" Cassegrain telescope mentioned above. At the time of its construction, this was the largest amateur-built telescope in the United States.
Visiting
This observatory is open most Sunday evenings for public Star Parties during the UTC school year. Group tours and special events are considered on a case-by-case basis and are subject to availability. Contact the observatory to learn more about scheduling a group visit, and visit their Facebook page for the most up-to-date information about Star Parties and other events.
Image Credit: University of Tennessee Chattanooga
Cordell-Lorenz Observatory
The Cordell-Lorenz Observatory is owned and operated by Sewanee: The University of the South, located in Sewanee, Tennessee.
Telescopes
This observatory currently houses a vintage 1897 6-inch Alvan Clark refractor located in the main dome, as well as several other telescopes ranging between 3.5" and 12.5".
Visiting
The Cordell-Lorenz Observatory holds scheduled Public Nights. Public observation sessions are held on Thursdays from 8pm to 10pm when the University is in session. Check their website prior to attending for any changes.
Image Credit: GoAstronomy.com
MTSU Observatory
The MTSU Observatory, located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee at Middle Tennessee State University and is operated by the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
Telescopes
The MTSU Observatory houses a 16" Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, fitted with a CCD camera that will feed the telescopic field to two 61" flat panel plasma displays mounted in the northern and eastern walls of the observatory. The images are also 'pushed' to the Internet, and the entire operation is controllable by computer from virtually anywhere in the world.
Visiting
This observatory holds scheduled Star Parties on the first Friday of every month 6:30pm through 8:30pm, weather permitting. The cost is free and the events are open to the public of all ages and abilities. Check their website for more information.
Image Credit: Middle Tennessee State University
Tamke-Allan Observatory
The Tamke-Allan Observatory is located in Knoxville, Tennessee and is operated by the Roane State Community College.
Telescopes
The featured telescope at the Tamke-Allan Observatory is an eight-inch refractor. This refractor rests upon a modern, computer-driven German equatorial mount. The telescope is housed in a 12-foot Ash dome and can be computer-controlled. They also have some smaller telescopes such as a classical Celestron 8 Schmidt-Cassegrain reflecting telescope as well as a 1960's era, 4-inch Unitron refractor.
Visiting
Tamke-Allan Observatory hosts free Public Stargazes on selected dark and starry evenings as announced at on the OBS website and via emails to local astronomers.
Image Credit: Tamke-Allan Observatory
Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory
The Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory is located in Brentwood Tennessee and was built in 1876. It is owned and operated by staff and students of Vanderbilt University.
Telescopes
The observatory features a six-inch telescope, now known as the Barnard telescope, which remained in storage until 1973, when it was installed in the dome of the Stevenson Center on the Vanderbilt University campus. Newly refurbished in 2007, the Barnard Telescope is now at the Dyer Observatory.
Visiting
Typically, this observatory holds scheduled Public Nights. Currently, the observatory is closed through June 2026 for an exciting renovation. Keep an eye on their website to stay updated!
Image Credit: Vanderbilt University Dyer Observatory
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