Drake Municipal Observatory

Drake Municipal Observatory The UNOFFICIAL Drake Municipal Observatory page NOT affiliated with either Drake University or the City of Des Moines.

The Drake Municipal Observatory is dedicated to Daniel Walter Morehouse, Ph.D., astronomer and physicist of Drake University - a tribute to his tireless efforts and eminent success in bringing to the people the beauty and dignity of astronomy. Visitors to the Drake Municipal Observatory are reminded the facility is also the burial site of Dr. Morehouse and his wife, Myrtle. The observatory was mad

e possible by the cooperation of the City of Des Moines and Drake University. The city furnished the ground (.23 acres) and the funds to build the observatory. The university furnished the scientific instruments, displays and staff. Constructed in 1920-21, the building stands on the highest ground in the city of Des Moines. The architecture is classic of the severe Grecian type and the structure is “T” shaped in plan. Construction is load-bearing masonry with reinforced concrete floors and roof. The operable copper dome at the center of the building houses the main telescope. The exterior of the observatory is gray Bedford limestone. Entrance to the Observatory

Elements around the doorway represent the contributions of the Chaldean, Persian, Egyptian, Greek and Roman civilizations to the science to which the building is dedicated. Notable features at the entrance related to astronomy include the sundial immediately south of the building, which leads the observer to reflect upon the importance of the sun to our planet. The figures of the zodiac carved in limestone blocks around the entrance doors represent the twelve constellations identified by ancient astronomers of many civilizations and direct the mind to consider the relative position of the earth, sun and surrounding firmament. The winged disk above the main entrance was often placed over the entrances to building of ancient Egypt. Note the dates to the right and left of the winged globe. The 1920 date is from our current Christian Era calendar, while the date of J.E. 6633 represents the “Julian Era” which is used to calculate the number of days between significant astronomical events. Rotunda

Notice the map of the solar system inlaid in the file floor. The configuration of the planets represents their relative positions at the time the observatory was constructed. The map does not include Pluto, which had not yet been recognized as a planet in 1921. Transit Room

The transit room is named for the instrument on the pedestal in the center of the room. The transit telescope was the most accurate method of determining time prior to development of the atomic clock. This device was used as the official timepiece of the City of Des Moines, and a telegraph line to the observatory also provided information to railroads. Note the shutters on the ceiling, which were opened to enable reading based on the positions of the stars. Public Lecture Room and Library

This room has been called “the gem of the entire building.” It is an unusual feature in an observatory and holds 100 people. The doorway to the office is in the southeast corner. Observing Room

The Observing Room houses the main telescope, which was built in 1894 and donated to Drake University by Francis Marion Drake. It is mounted on reinforced concrete beams, resting on the extra-heavy stone wall and insulated from possible vibrations by compressed cork. The dome is 18 feet in diameter and a balcony is around the exterior of the observing tower. The roof of the lecture hall was originally finished with promenade tile. This area of the building was included to provide the opportunity to entertain a large group of people with naked eye observations. Today, it is also used as the site of additional telescopes for public viewing.

04/16/2026

📣 COMING SOON TO A NIGHT SKY NEAR YOU!! 📣

🌠 The Lyrids Meteor Showers 🌠

⭐️ This meteor shower runs from April 15th–29th. It peaks on the night of April 21st/22nd, which means this night may provide the most meteors to be seen. It can produce 15–20 meteors per hour. Some of these meteors can be swift & bright like “fireballs”. 🌠

🔷 Dust from Comet Thatcher (C/1861 G1) produces the meteors. The comet itself takes about 420 years to orbit our Sun one time. It last reached its closest approach to our Sun in 1861, when the comet was discovered by A.E. Thatcher.

➡️ The “C” in its name indicates it is a long period comet, which means its orbit is more than 200 years.
➡️ “1861” stand for the year the comet was officially discovered.
➡️ The “G” indicates it was discovered in the first half of April.
➡️ The “1” means Thatcher was the first comet discovered in that first part of April.

💫 Comet Thatcher is currently traveling outward from our solar system and is expected to return to our solar system 🌎 about 2283.

💫 This meteor shower is one of the oldest known and it has been observed for the past 2,700 years. The first recorded sighting of the Lyrid meteor shower goes back to 687 B.C. by the Chinese.

🤩 Favorable viewing is expected on peak night as the moon will be in a waxing crescent 🌒 phase, when the moon is between the new moon of April 17th and the 1st quarter moon on the 23rd, providing darker skies. Now we hope for clear skies that night.

🤩 How to view a meteor shower –
👉 Best to find a location far from city lights.
👉 Dress for the weather.
👉 Make your wait comfortable — blankets, reclining chairs, pillows, and warm beverages, as temperatures can drop.
👉 Keep your phone away to preserve your night vision.
👉 For optimal viewing, bring a red-light flashlight to help you see without ruining your night vision.
👉 Meteor watching, like stargazing, can be a waiting game, so be patient.
👉 No need for telescope or binoculars. Meteors are best seen with naked eye 👀 viewing.
👉 Just look up and watch the night sky. 🤩

If you enjoy learning more of the night sky, check out our website.
https://dmastronomy.com/

We also offer astronomy 💫 programs on the 2nd & 4th Saturdays of each month. Click on the main website link above, scroll down on the home page or the 'Public Schedule' tab and click the link for the current schedule of Ashton Observatory events.
Admission is free for everyone!

🔷 DMAS is a non-profit organization whose primary function is to share the night sky with as many people as possible.

Image credit: National Geographic

03/25/2026
03/20/2026
(The email exchange below came from an anonymous source known as "Deep 'Scope") Has Ben Page been working on the problem...
03/03/2026

(The email exchange below came from an anonymous source known as "Deep 'Scope") Has Ben Page been working on the problem of public safety at Observatory events for over 15 years? Of course not, that's ridiculous. He crafted The Ben Page Solution long ago. It took care of things then, has worked since at other public events but can't be used now to help resolve the golf course lighting brouhaha. In case you don't know, Chris Hensley currently sits on the Iowa Board of Regents and introduced Mayor Connie Boesen to neighborhood associations and city government a long time ago. THE BEN PAGE SOLUTION IS SIMPLE BUT HAS A LOT OF MOVING PARTS AND WILL BE DISCUSSED IN COMMENTS BELOW.

One more member of the Channel 8 News Team who is following astronomy and events at the Drake Municipal Observatory!
03/03/2026

One more member of the Channel 8 News Team who is following astronomy and events at the Drake Municipal Observatory!

Could the KCCI News Team be the only ones so far to spot something that if not resolved could lead to a public cage figh...
03/02/2026

Could the KCCI News Team be the only ones so far to spot something that if not resolved could lead to a public cage fight in front of the City Council? If it ever comes up on the agenda at a properly announced and open-to-the-public meeting. At least they could find out if crowd control contingencies at the brand-new venue work as planned !

Drake University still provides free programs on astronomy at the Observatory just like they agreed to do over a century...
03/02/2026

Drake University still provides free programs on astronomy at the Observatory just like they agreed to do over a century ago. Drake University also honors their commitment to provide the scientific equipment used at the observatory, mostly. DETAILS TO BE POSTED IN COMMENTS BELOW.

Address

4898 Observatory Road
Des Moines, IA
50311

Telephone

+15152713141

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