World Observatories Map

Explore 245 astronomical observatories on an interactive 3D globe. From giant optical telescopes to radio arrays, gravitational wave detectors to neutrino observatories.

Explore Observatories
245
Observatories
50+
Countries
8
Categories

Observatory Types

Giant Optical Telescopes (8-40m)

  • Very Large Telescope (VLT), Chile
  • Keck Observatory, Hawaii
  • Gran Telescopio Canarias, Spain
  • Gemini North & South
  • Large Binocular Telescope, Arizona
  • ELT (39m, building), Chile

Radio Telescopes

  • FAST (500m), China
  • Green Bank Telescope, USA
  • Very Large Array (VLA), USA
  • Effelsberg (100m), Germany
  • Parkes (64m), Australia
  • MeerKAT, South Africa

Millimeter/Submillimeter

  • ALMA, Chile
  • NOEMA, France
  • IRAM 30m, Spain
  • Submillimeter Array (SMA)
  • APEX, Chile
  • South Pole Telescope

Gravitational Wave Detectors

  • LIGO Hanford, USA
  • LIGO Livingston, USA
  • Virgo, Italy
  • KAGRA, Japan
  • GEO600, Germany
  • LIGO-India (building)

Neutrino Observatories

  • IceCube, South Pole
  • Super-Kamiokande, Japan
  • SNOLAB, Canada
  • KM3NeT, Mediterranean
  • Baikal-GVD, Russia
  • Baksan, Russia

Survey & NEO Telescopes

  • Vera C. Rubin Observatory (LSST)
  • Pan-STARRS, Hawaii
  • Zwicky Transient Facility
  • Catalina Sky Survey
  • ATLAS (asteroid survey)
  • Spacewatch, Arizona

Interactive 3D Globe

Explore all observatories on a rotating globe. Click any telescope to see details, photos from Wikipedia, and local time.

Telescope Information

View mirror size, operating organization, coordinates, and photos for each observatory.

Multiple Types

From optical and radio to gravitational wave detectors, neutrino observatories, gamma-ray telescopes, and cosmic ray arrays.

Historic Sites

Discover historic observatories: Royal Observatory Greenwich, Paris Observatory, Mount Wilson, Yerkes, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the largest optical telescope?

Currently, the Gran Telescopio Canarias (10.4m) and Keck telescopes (2x10m) are the largest. The ELT (39.3m) is under construction in Chile and will become the world's largest when completed.

What is the largest radio telescope?

FAST in China has a 500m diameter dish, making it the world's largest filled-aperture radio telescope. The former Arecibo (305m) collapsed in 2020.

Why are many telescopes in Chile?

The Atacama Desert in Chile offers some of the best astronomical conditions on Earth: high altitude, dry air, clear skies, and minimal light pollution. ESO, ALMA, and many others are located there.

What is LIGO?

LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory) detected gravitational waves for the first time in 2015, confirming Einstein's prediction. It has two 4km detector arms in the USA.