as in lookouts
a high place or structure from which a wide view is possible
the observatory is located on a mountaintop
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Recent Examples of observatories
New observatories and spacecraft missions are probing environments in our solar system that could potentially host life but have long remained hidden.
—
Gideon Yoffe, The Conversation, 29 May 2026
The intricate structure of the nebula has been examined by some of the most powerful observatories ever created — including the Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope — revealing the secrets of the star-forming region while also highlighting its beauty.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 28 May 2026
Hotspots for dark-sky tourism include the red dunes of Sossusvlei, the vast desert silence of Damaraland, the granite landscapes around Spitzkoppe and the remote ranchlands surrounding Gamsberg, the latter home to observatories and exceptionally low light pollution.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
Its silhouette defined the New York City skyline, while its observatories welcomed millions of visitors seeking that unforgettable view from the heart of Manhattan.
—Lexi Lane, PEOPLE, 23 May 2026
Past observations by Hubble and other observatories have picked up outflows of gas from NGC 1266, lending further support to this theory of why so few new stars are being born there.
—Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 19 May 2026
The asteroid was identified several days ago by astronomers at five observatories, including Farpoint Observatory in Wabaunsee County, Kansas, and Mount Lemmon Observatory in Arizona’s Santa Catalina Mountains.
—Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 13 May 2026
In Western Australia, 89% of visitors surveyed showed interest in traveling specifically for stargazing, and the sector continues to grow through astronomical observatories, dark sky preserves, aurora viewing, dark sky festivals and astrophotography destinations.
—Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 May 2026
Mapping ancient structures The James Webb telescope’s infrared instruments allowed astronomers to detect faint galaxies hidden from older observatories.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 May 2026
Gideon Yoffe, The Conversation, 29 May 2026
The intricate structure of the nebula has been examined by some of the most powerful observatories ever created — including the Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope — revealing the secrets of the star-forming region while also highlighting its beauty.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 28 May 2026
Hotspots for dark-sky tourism include the red dunes of Sossusvlei, the vast desert silence of Damaraland, the granite landscapes around Spitzkoppe and the remote ranchlands surrounding Gamsberg, the latter home to observatories and exceptionally low light pollution.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
Its silhouette defined the New York City skyline, while its observatories welcomed millions of visitors seeking that unforgettable view from the heart of Manhattan.
—Lexi Lane, PEOPLE, 23 May 2026
Past observations by Hubble and other observatories have picked up outflows of gas from NGC 1266, lending further support to this theory of why so few new stars are being born there.
—Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 19 May 2026
The asteroid was identified several days ago by astronomers at five observatories, including Farpoint Observatory in Wabaunsee County, Kansas, and Mount Lemmon Observatory in Arizona’s Santa Catalina Mountains.
—Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 13 May 2026
In Western Australia, 89% of visitors surveyed showed interest in traveling specifically for stargazing, and the sector continues to grow through astronomical observatories, dark sky preserves, aurora viewing, dark sky festivals and astrophotography destinations.
—Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 May 2026
Mapping ancient structures The James Webb telescope’s infrared instruments allowed astronomers to detect faint galaxies hidden from older observatories.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for observatories
Noun
-
What to see today There are plenty of hikes and lookouts throughout the park, from Halemaʻumaʻu Crater to the petroglyph field, featuring ancient rock carvings, along the Chain of Craters Road.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
20 May 2026
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Inland, Dunk Island is covered in lush rainforest, with several trails leading to lookouts, quiet beaches, and the island’s high point, Mount Kootaloo, which sits at 900 feet above sea level.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
14 May 2026
Noun
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Cerro San Cristóbal is also a short stroll from The Ritz-Carlton, where gondolas transport you to the top to see the Virgin Mary statue that towers over the city and the beautiful gardens surrounding it.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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The palace is a fantasia, with a courtyard that does not lead to any rooms and three towers topped by onion domes—the tallest of which was dedicated to Stockalper’s namesake, Kaspar, of the Three Magi, and adorned by symbols of the sun.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Noun
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To cap off the day and this drive, carry on south for even more to explore, from quieter beaches and scenic overlooks to neighborhood gems like Hyde Park and the peaceful Osaka Garden.—
Abby Price,
Travel + Leisure,
25 May 2026
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And former President Obama was part of many small but important decisions, from how the food tastes, the height of barriers at the overlooks, and the art pieces that all tell a story.—
Sara Tenenbaum,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Observatories.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/observatories. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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