Located on South Campus, the UMass Lowell Schueller Observatory enables students to use professional-grade telescopes and other instruments to observe stars, moons, and other celestial objects.

UMass Lowell students at the Schueller observatory (in its original site) holding a portrait of Richard Schueller (painted by a local artist and friend).

UMass Lowell students at the Schueller observatory (in its original site) holding a portrait of Richard Schueller (painted by a local artist and friend).

The observatory was made possible by the generosity of alumnus Susan Goodwin in honor of her late husband Richard Schueller.

Richard graduated from UMass Lowell, where he met Susan, in 1986. While at UMass Lowell he worked with the particle accelerator along with many of the faculty. He was a research scientist at American Science and Engineering of Billerica, Mass., and worked on satellite and rocket experiments, including the Chandra X-ray Observatory.

Public Observing Nights

The observatory regularly hosts nights open to the public.

Anyone is welcome to come as one of our trained staff members gives the public a tour of the sky. What is viewed depends on the specific night, but potential objects include planets, nebulae, and star clusters.

  • March 16, 2022: The Schueller Observatory will hold a public open night from 6-9 p.m.
    • 6-6:30 p.m. –"What’s in the Sky"?
    • 6-9 p.m. - Observatory open.
    • Astronomers are on hand to offer views through the telescopes (weather permitting) throughout the evening.
    • Park in the Broadway Riverview Lot (900 Broadway, after 3 p.m. no charge).
    • Please note: masks are required for all indoor portions of the event.
    • This is a Free Event open to the public. All ages are welcome!

Send any questions by email to: observatory@uml.edu.