In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, all public access to the Etelman Observatory has been postponed until further notice. Please stay safe, and join our mailing list to receive further updates.
- The Etelman Observatory is proud to have the only research-grade and most powerful optical telescope in the Caribbean region – nicknamed the Virgin Islands Robotic Telescope (VIRT). Situated just to the West of Crown Mountain on the island of St. Thomas, USVI, this facility has picturesque daytime views of the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, and nighttime views of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
- In addition to ground-based observing, the Etelman Observatory supports a diverse variety of fundamental scientific research, educational and outreach events, and group tours. Astronomers with the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Physics Program, and industry scientists from OrangeWave Innovative Science, LLC operate and maintain the Etelman Observatory and VIRT.
- The Etelman Observatory is open for group tours by appointment all year, Monday through Friday, with exception of holidays and the month of September. Please email us at visitetelmanobservatory@gmail.com if your group would like discuss tour scheduling and pricing options.