The John Payson Williston Observatory is an
astronomical
Astronomy is a natural science that studies celestial objects and the phenomena that occur in the cosmos. It uses mathematics, physics, and chemistry in order to explain their origin and their overall evolution. Objects of interest include ...
observatory
An observatory is a location used for observing terrestrial, marine, or celestial events. Astronomy, climatology/meteorology, geophysics, oceanography and volcanology are examples of disciplines for which observatories have been constructed.
Th ...
located at the highest point on the
Mount Holyoke College
Mount Holyoke College is a Private college, private Women's colleges in the United States, women's Liberal arts colleges in the United States, liberal arts college in South Hadley, Massachusetts, United States. It is the oldest member of the h ...
campus. Constructed in 1881, the observatory is a modest building with a rare
8" Alvan Clark refractor telescope created just before his death in 1887. It is maintained and operated by the Mount Holyoke College Astronomy Department.
See also
*
List of astronomical observatories
This is a partial list of astronomical observatories ordered by name, along with initial dates of operation (where an accurate date is available) and location. The list also includes a final year of operation for many observatories that are no lon ...
References
External links
Williston ObservatoryMount Holyoke College Astronomy Department
Astronomical observatories in Massachusetts
Buildings and structures in South Hadley, Massachusetts
Mount Holyoke College
1881 establishments in Massachusetts
Peabody and Stearns buildings
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