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
By studying them in ultraviolet light that terrestrial observatories can’t access because of Earth’s UV-blocking ozone layer, the project could literally shed more light on the still-mysterious details of stellar activity across the galaxy.
—
Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 8 Apr. 2026
As both observatories continue their missions, researchers plan to build on these observations, tracking Saturn's evolving atmosphere, monitoring storm systems and refining models of its complex climate.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 26 Mar. 2026
Here are six observatories to visit for viewing comets, or other space sights.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Outside, 23 Mar. 2026
Compact, millimeter-scale detectors could complement large observatories and help probe low-frequency waves that are currently hard to detect.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 21 Mar. 2026
What’s next New powerful observatories, such as the James Webb Space Telescope and the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, will enable the discovery and detailed study of distant mergers responsible for producing heavy elements.
—Eleonora Troja, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2026
Multiple new space observatories, including the Near-Earth Object Surveyor and the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, are in development at NASA, along with the concept of the Habitable World Observatory.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 10 Mar. 2026
Well, on March 7, 2023, two NASA observatories — Swift and Fermi — detected a long-period gamma-ray burst that endured for about 200 seconds, definitively in the long-period class.
—Big Think, 20 Mar. 2025
And while observatories in space and on the ground can give some clues about exoplanets, stars themselves are crucial to understanding these distant worlds.
—Elizabeth Landau, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Mar. 2025
Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 8 Apr. 2026
As both observatories continue their missions, researchers plan to build on these observations, tracking Saturn's evolving atmosphere, monitoring storm systems and refining models of its complex climate.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 26 Mar. 2026
Here are six observatories to visit for viewing comets, or other space sights.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Outside, 23 Mar. 2026
Compact, millimeter-scale detectors could complement large observatories and help probe low-frequency waves that are currently hard to detect.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 21 Mar. 2026
What’s next New powerful observatories, such as the James Webb Space Telescope and the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, will enable the discovery and detailed study of distant mergers responsible for producing heavy elements.
—Eleonora Troja, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2026
Multiple new space observatories, including the Near-Earth Object Surveyor and the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, are in development at NASA, along with the concept of the Habitable World Observatory.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 10 Mar. 2026
Well, on March 7, 2023, two NASA observatories — Swift and Fermi — detected a long-period gamma-ray burst that endured for about 200 seconds, definitively in the long-period class.
—Big Think, 20 Mar. 2025
And while observatories in space and on the ground can give some clues about exoplanets, stars themselves are crucial to understanding these distant worlds.
—Elizabeth Landau, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for observatories
Noun
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The trail at Maiden Rock Bluff State Natural Area boasts one of the prettiest lookouts on the entire Mississippi.—
Katy Spratte Joyce,
Midwest Living,
31 Mar. 2026
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The group ate meals that were delivered to her, posted lookouts for social workers and cops and stored drugs, guns and ammunition in her apartment.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The marks, which are sandwiched between towers once used to scout for armies and to allow archers and other artillery-throwers to fend off enemy incursions, are arrayed in a way that suggests they may have been left by a repeating dart-thrower called a polybolos.—
Taylor Mitchell Brown,
Scientific American,
20 Apr. 2026
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On Monday, April 20, more than 260 former residents returned to the complex, where seven 31-story high-rise towers were impacted by the blaze, according to Reuters and The Associated Press.—
Abigail Adams,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Trails lead through the forest to caves, scenic overlooks, and other rock formations, like a 50-foot-high natural bridge.—
Julia Sayers Gokhale,
Midwest Living,
17 Apr. 2026
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Visitors can also explore the visitor center, hiking trails, including the historic bed of William Gillette’s miniature railroad, picnic areas and scenic overlooks above the Connecticut River.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Observatories.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/observatories. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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