Georgetown University Astronomical Observatory, Washington D.C.

Name: Georgetown University Astronomical Observatory
Address: Washington D.C., United States

#400 among attractions in Washington D.C.

Observatories and planetariums

Georgetown University Astronomical Observatory

Gallery (2)

Map

Georgetown University Astronomical Observatory location map

Map

Gallery

Georgetown University Astronomical Observatory, Washington D.C.

Facts and practical information

The Georgetown University Astronomical Observatory was founded in 1841 by Father James Curley of the Department of Physics at Georgetown College. Father Curley chose a site on the college grounds, planned the building, and supervised its construction to its completion in 1844. Costs were initially paid by Rev. Thomas Meredith Jenkins, S.J. and Rev. Charles H. Stonestreet, S.J. who were Georgetown professors at the time. The observatory was used in 1846 to determine the latitude and longitude of Washington, D.C., which Curley determined to be latitude 38°54′26N and longitude 5^h8^m18.29^s. ()

Built: 1841 (183 years ago)Coordinates: 38°54'30"N, 77°4'38"W

Address

Northwest Washington (Georgetown)Washington D.C. United States

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Washington D.C.

Day trips

Georgetown University Astronomical Observatory – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Georgetown Park, Jesuit Community Cemetery, Key Bridge, Statue of John Carroll.

0.8 miE
Shopping, Shopping centre
Georgetown Park, Arlington
22 min walk • Georgetown Park is a mixed use shopping mall and condominium complex in the Georgetown historic district of Washington, D.C. The Shops at Georgetown Park are located at 3222 M Street, NW.
~1020 ftE
Cemetery
Jesuit Community Cemetery, Washington D.C.
5 min walk • The Jesuit Community Cemetery on the campus of Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. is the final resting place for Jesuits who were affiliated with the university. It was first established in 1808 and was moved to its present location in 1854.
0.6 miSE
Bridge
Key Bridge, Washington D.C.
15 min walk • The Francis Scott Key Bridge, more commonly known as the Key Bridge, is a six-lane reinforced concrete arch bridge conveying U.S.
~1410 ftE
Monuments and statues
Statue of John Carroll, Washington D.C.
7 min walk • Bishop John Carroll is a statue by the sculptor Jerome Connor commemorating Archbishop John Carroll, the founder of Georgetown University and the first Catholic bishop in the United States.
~1940 ftE
Church
Dahlgren Chapel of the Sacred Heart, Washington D.C.
10 min walk • Dahlgren Chapel of the Sacred Heart, often shortened to Dahlgren Chapel, is a Roman Catholic chapel located in Dahlgren Quadrangle on the main campus of Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Built in 1893, it is located in the historic center of the campus.
0.4 miSE
View point
Exorcist Steps, Washington D.C.
11 min walk • The Exorcist steps, which used to be called the "Hitchcock steps," are concrete stairs, continuing 36th Street, descending from the corner of Prospect St and 36th St NW, down to a small parking lot, set back from the intersection of M Street NW, Canal Rd NW, and Whitehurst Freeway NW in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C.
0.4 miE
Church, Universities and schools
Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Washington D.C.
11 min walk • Holy Trinity Catholic Church is a Catholic church run by the Jesuit order that is located in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. in the United States.
0.6 miE
Cemetery, Playground, Park
Volta Park, Washington D.C.
15 min walk • The Presbyterian Burying Ground, also known as the Old Presbyterian Burying Ground, was a historic cemetery which existed between 1802 and 1909 in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. in the United States. It was one of the most prominent cemeteries in the city until the 1860s.
0.7 miNE
Museum, Art gallery
Addison/Ripley Fine Art, Washington D.C.
17 min walk • Addison/Ripley Fine Art in an art gallery in Washington, D.C. The gallery was established in 1981 and in addition to being an independent, commercial fine arts gallery, it also serves as an art consultant and curator to the Warner Building, Washington, D.C. and as art consultants to several Washington, D.
0.4 miSE
Tower, Romanesque revival architecture
Georgetown Car Barn, Washington D.C.
12 min walk • The Georgetown Car Barn, historically known as the Capital Traction Company Union Station, is a building in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. in the United States.
0.5 miSE
Park
Francis Scott Key Memorial, Washington D.C.
14 min walk • Francis Scott Key Memorial is a park and memorial located in the District of Columbia neighborhood of Georgetown; at the intersection of 34th and M Streets, NW.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which popular attractions are close to Georgetown University Astronomical Observatory?

Nearby attractions include Jesuit Community Cemetery, Washington D.C. (5 min walk), Georgetown University, Washington D.C. (6 min walk), Healy Hall, Washington D.C. (7 min walk), Gaston Hall, Washington D.C. (7 min walk).

How to get to Georgetown University Astronomical Observatory by public transport?

The nearest stations to Georgetown University Astronomical Observatory:

Bus

Lee Hwy at N Oak St • Lines: 55 (17 min walk)

Metro

Rosslyn • Lines: Bl, Or, Sv (24 min walk)