About Windowpane Observatory

Windowpane Observatory (WPO) is so named after the forty-eight inch square viewing glass through which astronomers can observe the sky in year-round comfort. Looking through this window to the universe is an eighteen inch short-focus reflecting telescope. WPO is engaged in the astronomical science of discovery. We are searching for comets, supernovae, and earth-crossing asteroids. WPO is a visual observatory contributing to fundamental astronomical science in the tradition of Galileo and Isaac Newton. In fact, our reflecting telescope is called a Newtonian.

WPO is located in the heart of the Sonoran Desert at the gateway to the Organ Pipe National Monument. This area of the United States is part of a protected United Nations Biosphere. The pristine Sonoran Desert contains many rare plants and animals peculiar only to this area. With it's extremely dry climate and clear nights this site is darker than the United States' National Astronomical Facility at Kitt Peak.

Most observatories can only be visited during the day when astronomers are not working. WPO can be visited at night and the general public is invited to join us in a voyage of discovery. The modest fee charged for this adventure helps to fund the basic science conducted at WPO.

Windowpane Observatory is located in Ajo, Arizona. Ajo is two hours from Phoenix, two and a half hours from Tucson, thirty minutes from Organ Pipe National Monument, and ninety minutes from the emerald waters and sandy beaches of the Sea of Cortez.

Windowpane Observatory is a proud member of and contributor to optical astronomy via the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO) and the European Southern Observatory (ESO)

If you would like to join us at Windowpane Observatory separate and apart from the activities mentioned on these Web pages please contact us at galaxies@windowpaneobservatory.com for observatory and astronomer-guided tour information.