Physics
Observatory
The CWU Observatory is located on a vibrationally isolated tower accessible from the roof of Discovery Hall and is operated by the Physics Department. The observatory provides research opportunities (PHYS 495) and hands-on training (PHYS 201) for undergraduate students, as well as observing experiences for the general public.
The CWU Astronomy Club sometimes hosts star parties that are open to the public. Contact physics@cwu.edu to find out if there are any upcoming shows.
Students interested in becoming involved in astronomy research should visit the Observatory Research page.
Latitude and Longitude:
47.0068° N, 120.5360° W
Altitude of observatory:
480 meters
Directions and parking information:
Parking lot H6 is the recommended parking lot to use for visiting Discovery Hall on weekends or after 4:30pm on weekdays. Most visits start at the Lydig Planetarium (indicated by a blue star on the map).
Research Telescope:
The ACE 0.6-meter telescope was installed on the roof of the Science II building in 2017. The telescope has an FLI 4240 Proline CCD and will eventually have a spectrograph.
CWU News
Professor Jennifer Serne’s curiosity guides her pursuit of success
April 1, 2026 by Rune Torgersen
NAC nearing completion as faculty, staff prepare for fall opening
April 1, 2026 by David Leder