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PROPERTY DESCRIPTION

Behlen Observatory is a research facility and astronomical observatory owned and operated by the department of physics and astronomy at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. It is located in Mead, Nebraska—about 38 miles northeast of Lincoln, Nebraska, far from encroaching light pollution.

Behlen’s position between Lincoln and Omaha allows observatory users to see a nearly unpolluted darkness, which allows for the best view of the stars by astronomers. The observatory features a 30-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, which is primarily used for variable star research. 

“Compared to what one might experience in Lincoln or even a few miles out of Lincoln, these skies are far, far darker. Under good skies, you can easily see the Milky Way, and you can easily see thousands of stars.�

Behlen Observatory was founded in 1972 and dedicated in 1993 with donations from Walter Behlen, founder of Behlen Manufacturing and a patron of the sciences. Although the observatory was built as an educational research facility for the University, they wanted to see it benefit the state of Nebraska in general. As a result, the observatory is open to the public several nights a year for observing the night sky. Such events often include talks by UNL scientists and demonstrations by UNL's Society of Physics Students.