Laws Observatory

Laws Observatory Laws Observatory has been showing the sky to MU students and faculty, and the general public, for more than 100 years.

Closed from 3rd week in December till first week in February unless otherwise specified. We are open to the public Wednesday evenings from 8:00 to 10:00 pm, if the WEATHER PERMITS. We can't open if it's cloudy/snowy/rainy/too hot in the dome. We will post notifications here on the weather.

From our sister observatory a few miles down Hwy 63, the latest Boone County Nature School BULLETIN. Lots going on this...
08/04/2026

From our sister observatory a few miles down Hwy 63, the latest Boone County Nature School BULLETIN. Lots going on this month including a lunar eclipse on the 27th. More on that soon.

07/23/2026

Well folks we have clouds rolling in from the northwest, and plus I being the only volunteer available and I'm preparing for my hip replacement surgery we will be closed tonight. If another volunteer becomes available in the next few weeks till I am released to drive we will be closed. Keep an eye on our FB page. Once again our apologies.

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The simulations here depict the Moon as it will appear at 8:30 pm this evening, well-placed in our southern sky and just...
07/22/2026

The simulations here depict the Moon as it will appear at 8:30 pm this evening, well-placed in our southern sky and just a little past First Quarter. At lower-center is the crater Moltke, in the Sea of Tranquility. Just above that crater is the first Apollo landing site. Note also the red arrow at upper-right, depicting the part of the Moon tilted farthest toward the Earth tonight due to Libration. Click on the images for more description!

Tonight's First Quarter Moon is just past the exact phase when the Apollo 11 astronauts touched down at Tranquility Base...
07/21/2026

Tonight's First Quarter Moon is just past the exact phase when the Apollo 11 astronauts touched down at Tranquility Base in 1969. Also, at this phase, at sunset, we are looking back from where the Earth has just come from as it orbits the Sun. Take out a binocular tonight and scan the Sea of Tranquility, at the center of the main image here. The first Apollo landing took place at the lower-left of that lunar sea. Click on the illustrations for more description.

07/08/2026

Because we have nothing to look at in the sky except Venus low on the horizon, we will be closed until the 22nd of this month when we have a decent moon phase between 8-10.

Staring down the barrels of some big ones. If you have a pair of eclipse glasses you should be able to see these. So get...
06/30/2026

Staring down the barrels of some big ones. If you have a pair of eclipse glasses you should be able to see these. So get out in the heat and take a look!

06/29/2026

We would be pretty safe to say because of the heat this week and not having a Moon till late , we will be closed.......as they say. Stay cool!

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Thanks to Missouri Scholars who came up to Laws tonight! Take a look straight up from the point on top of Jesse Auditori...
06/25/2026

Thanks to Missouri Scholars who came up to Laws tonight! Take a look straight up from the point on top of Jesse Auditorium. Jupiter can barely be. Venus up to the left.

06/25/2026

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Physics Building, South College Avenue
Columbia, MO
65211

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