Alliance of Historic Observatories

AHO members engage in various joint activities aligned with alliance objectives: astronomical site, asset, and data preservation; collaborative public engagement and media projects; STEM-focused outreach; and strategic collaboration on mature facility operations.

There are two types of membership: “Voting” and “Associate” (see Bylaws Article 3).

A. Voting/regular member criteria

Be widely recognized as an astronomical observatory (i.e. individuals are not eligible to the regular members, but rather may be designated as Associate members, and potentially Special Delegates)
Having been in existence for a minimum amount of time (e.g. be older than say ~50 – 70 years)
Be widely recognized as having made historic and on-going contributions to one or more of the following:

astronomy, astrophysics, or closely related disciplines;
public engagement and/or information on astronomy or closely related disciplines;
and/or having notably served the public, national, or international interests through the application of astronomy or closely-related disciplines

Attest to institutional objectives that are well-aligned with AHO stated objectives
Maintain compliance with AHO Member criteria and responsibilities
Have current active programs in astronomical research, public engagement in astronomy, or serve the public, national or international interests through the application of astronomy

B. Associate member criteria

For organizations: Meet several of the organizational criteria listed above, or
Be engaged either as an organization or an individual in activities that are closely aligned with AHO objectives such as:

The restoration, maintenance, curation. and/or stewardship of astronomy-related historical artifacts, practices, facilities, and/or data (e.g. photographic plates, observing logs)
Educational and/or public engagement activities that disseminate astronomy or related disciplines including methods and techniques
Philanthropic support of organizations or initiatives that align with AHO objectives

For individuals: Be recognized as an individual who has made substantive contributions to AHO formation, organization, and/or objectives
Maintain compliance with AHO Associate Member criteria and responsibilities

To nominate an institution or individual for membership, please use our contact form.

Detroit Observatory

est. 1854

Detroit Observatory
est. 1854
Ann Arbor, MI, USA
University of Michigan

Third largest refracting telescope in the world (1857)

Fitz Refracting Telescope (0.32m, 1857)
Meridian Circle Telescope (1854)

Austin Edmister (assistant director)

Website History Visiting Support Exhibits Events

Dominion Astrophysical Observatory

est. 1918

Dominion Astrophysical Observatory
est. 1918
Victoria, BC, Canada
National Research Council Canada

Second largest telescope in the world (1918)

Plaskett Telescope (1.8m reflector, 1918)
48-inch telescope (1.2m reflector, 1961)

Dennis Crabtree (vol-professional)

Website History Research
Visiting Observing Programs Events Tour

Griffith Observatory

est. 1935

Griffith Observatory
est. 1935
Los Angeles, CA, USA
City of Los Angeles

The most viewed telescope in the world (> 7 million people)

12-inch/9½-inch telescopes (0.3m/0.25m refractors, 1935/55)
Coelostat and Solar Telescopes (1935)

Ed Krupp (director)

Website History Visiting Observing Programs Exhibits Events

Lick Observatory

est. 1888

Lick Observatory
est. 1888
Mt. Hamilton, CA, USA
University of California Observatories

Largest refractor in the world (1888)
The world's first permanently occupied mountain-top observatory

36-inch James Lick ("Great Lick") Refractor (0.9m, 1888)
36-inch Crossley Reflector (0.9m, 1879/1896)
20-inch Carnegie Double Astrograph (0.5m refractors, 1941)
22-inch Tauchmann Reflector (0.5m, 1954)
120-inch Shane Telescope (3m reflector, 1959)
Coudé Auxiliary Telescope (0.6m reflector, 1969)

Matthew Shetrone (deputy director)

Website History Research
Visiting Observing Programs Tour Live Cams Archives Events

Lowell Observatory

est. 1894

Lowell Observatory
est. 1894
Flagstaff, AZ, USA

Discovery of Pluto (1930)

24-inch Clark Telescope (0.6m refractor, 1896)
13-inch A. L. Lowell Astrograph (0.3m refractor, 1929)

W. Lowell Putnam (trustee)

Website History Research
Visiting Stargazing Programs Exhibits Archives Events News

McCormick Observatory

est. 1885

McCormick Observatory
est. 1885
Charlottesville, VA, USA
University of Virginia

Second largest refractor in the world (with USNO, 1885)

26-inch refracting telescope (0.65m, 1885)

Steve Majewski (chair)

Website History Visiting Observing Support Exhibits

McDonald Observatory

est. 1939

McDonald Observatory
est. 1939
Fort Davis, TX, USA
University of Texas

Second largest telescope in the world (1939)
Third largest telescope in the world (1968)

Otto Struve Telescope (2.1m reflector, 1939)
Harlan J. Smith Telescope (2.7m reflector, 1968)
0.8m telescope (reflector, 1970)
0.9m telescope (reflector, 1956)

Katie Kizziar (asst. director for education & outreach)

Website Research Visiting Observing Programs Media Live Streams News

Mt. Wilson Observatory

est. 1904

Mount Wilson Observatory
est. 1904
Mt. Wilson, CA, USA
Mount Wilson Institute

Largest telescopes in the world (1908 and 1917)
Discovery of the cosmic expansion

100-inch Hooker Telescope (2.5m reflector, 1917)
60-inch telescope (1.5m reflector, 1908)
60-ft (18m) Snow Solar Telescope (1905)
150-ft (46m) solar tower (1912)

Timothy Thompson (science director)

Website History Visiting Observing Programs Events Live Cams Tour

Palomar Observatory

est. 1948

Palomar Observatory
est. 1948
Palomar Mountain, CA, USA
Caltech

Largest telescope in the world (1949)
Largest Schmidt in the world (1948)
Palomar sky surveys (1958 and 2000)
Discovery of quasars (1963)
Discovery of Eris (2005) and other TNOs

200-inch Hale Telescope (5m reflector, 1949)
48-inch Samuel Oschin Telescope (1.2m Schmidt, 1948)
18-inch telescope (0.46m Schmidt, 1936)
60-inch telescope (1.5m reflector, 1970)

Andy Boden (deputy director)

Website History Research Visiting Tour Exhibits Live Cams Archives News

Pic du Midi Observatory

est. 1878

Pic du Midi Observatory
est. 1878
Pic du Midi de Bigorre, France
Paul Sabatier University (Toulouse III)

World's first high-mountain observatory
Formally discredited Martian canal theory
Mapped the surface of the Moon for the Apollo missions
Detailed Venus and Mars atmospheric studies
Discovery of Saturn's moon Helene

Rémi Cabanac (science director)

Website 1 Website 2 History Research Visiting Stargazing Programs Exhibits Live Cams News Events