James H. Karle Observatory

The James H. Karle Observatory sits on the roof of the Olin physics-chemistry building, but its structure extends far down below the building's basement. The central pier of the observatory is rooted in bedrock, transferring some of the rock's solidness and stability to the telescope above....The reduction in vibration means that astronomical observations made with the mounted telescope are cleaner and more accurate than they would otherwise be.

Learn more about our observatory from the observatory website created by Melissa Pereira '00.