Embry-Riddle Observatory, Daytona Beach

About Embry-Riddle Observatory

Embry-Riddle's Campus Observatory in Daytona Beach houses the largest university-based research telescope in Florida, a one-meter diameter Ritchey-Chrétien reflecting telescope built in 2014. The telescope sits atop the College of Arts and Sciences building in a 30-foot diameter dome and weighs approximately two tons. Visitors observe the night sky through this main telescope and a collection of a dozen smaller portable telescopes mounted on the roof. The facility gathers millions of times more light than the human eye, allowing observation of planets, moons, asteroids, exoplanets, stars and nearby galaxies. The Observatory hosts free open house nights featuring public lectures followed by telescope observations weather permitting. These events welcome community members and the general public of all ages to view celestial objects, ask questions and learn about astronomy. Faculty and students use the facility for research in planetary science, stellar structure and galactic studies.