The Home of Modern Astrophysics

​Yerkes Observatory is a facility of the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics of the University of Chicago. It was established in 1897 on Geneva Lake in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. Until the mid-1960's, Yerkes Observatory housed all of the Department's activities. Today the 77-acre, park-like site in southeast Wisconsin provides laboratory space and access to telescopes for research and instruction.

Yerkes Education Outreach

The University of Chicago Yerkes Observatory Education Program is dedicated to using the historic legacy and resources of Yerkes Observatory to provide immersive educational experiences for learners of all ages and to anchor a vibrant intellectual community that makes strong and lasting contributions to national educational priorities.


One goal of this mission is to grow and sustain a community of youth, educators and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) professionals that will foster life-long curiosity about the natural world and empower, reward, and amplify the efforts of learners of all ages. To that end, Yerkes Education Outreach provides educational opportunities and resources in a collaborative environment that combines the highest quality teaching and science expertise and is inclusive of all learners of any age.

​Yerkes Observatory is a facility of the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics of the University of Chicago. It was established in 1897 on Geneva Lake in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. Until the mid-1960's, Yerkes Observatory housed all of the Department's activities. Today the 77-acre, park-like site in southeast Wisconsin provides laboratory space and access to telescopes for research and instruction.
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