Washburn Observatory to close for renovations

Washburn Observatory, which sits along Observatory Drive on the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus, will close at the end of October for remodeling and renovations.

The UW–Madison Department of Astronomy will sponsor public star-gazing nights at the 126-year-old campus landmark for the first four Wednesdays in October from 9-11 p.m., weather permitting. These sessions will be the last public viewing opportunities at the observatory until the renovations are completed in summer 2009.

The planned updates include an expansion and remodeling of the basement and first floor levels to add office, classroom and display space. A new basement-level entrance and elevator will make the basement and first floor handicapped-accessible for the first time, although the viewing dome will remain inaccessible due to the constraints of the building.

While Washburn Observatory is closed, the UW Space Place will continue to offer public telescope viewing on their rooftop observing deck on the second and fourth Fridays on each month from 8-9:30 p.m., weather permitting.