Observatories
Peach Mountain
Radio Telescope
The 26 meter telescope was installed in 1958, and has been in near continuous operation since a computer control system was installed in 1977. As a result, we have one of the largest continuous data sets available. The radio telescope page has more information on the telescope, observing program or the database.
For information on the annual open house, check out the open house page. Directions, maps and other information is below
Dark Skies site
Peach Mountain is part of the Stinchfield woods outside the village of Dexter. The area around it was primarily agricultural, so light pollution levels are lower there than on campus or other area observatories. The department uses the site for some of its smaller classes so students can actually view things that aren't visible from the city like the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxy.
Additionally, the University Lowbrow Astronomers operate the 24" McMath-Hulbert telescope located down the hill from the radio telescope. For information of their open houses, go to http://www.umich.edu/~lowbrows/calendar/.
Maps, etc.
Peach Mountain is located at 10280 North Territorial Road in Dexter. There is a sign at the entrance for the radio telescope.
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT ACCESS:
The gates are LOCKED at dusk except when the lowbrows have an open house. You may have to wait several hours for someone with a key to come let you out if you get locked in.
Policies:
Alcohol is prohibited. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times. Please keep all vehicles, bikes, skies, etc in designated areas only. There is no trash pick up, so please plan take everything with you when you leave. Most of the area is rough ground, including the path to the McMath, so please check with the organizing group before any event if you have special access needs.
The recomended route:
Take US 23 to exit 49, North territorial road. Turn west (that's left if you're coming frmo Ann Arbor) and travel roughly 9.5 miles. The entrance will be on your right, shortly after the Hudson Mills Metropark and Dexter-Pinckney road.
From Ann Arbor and areas with easy access to I-94, you can use the following shorter and more scenic but more compicated route:
Take Jackson Road to Baker road OR Take I-94 to exit 167 Baker Road. Turn right (north) onto Baker road. When the road bends, take the left onto Sheild road, then right onto Parker road about a half mile latter. Keep right onto Dexter-Chelsea road, then turn left onto Dexter-Pinkney road. Dexter-Pinckney intersects North Territorial about 3.5 miles north of town. Turn left onto Northterritorial, and drive just over a mile to the observatory, which will be on the right (north) side of the road.
A map of the area is available here, or you can view an image of the area and a map on this page.
