The Drake Municipal Observatory is operated jointly by the City of Des Moines and Drake University. It is located in Des Moines on the grounds of the Waveland Golf Course.
We are open to the public during our weekly Public Night Series held each spring, summer and fall on Friday nights. Drake Municipal Observatory will celebrate its 100 year anniversary in November 2021, learn more about our history here.
Drake Municipal Observatory in the News:
The image on this page is is courtesy of astrophotographer Stan Richard and shows Venus and Saturn in conjunction on the morning of July 15, 2001.