Lam-Hill Observatory Nears Completion as New Steel Dome Moves into Place

Once the dome was fitted, a new telescope was then hauled into position and winched down into an opening. “This will offer an improved view of the night sky when the observatory becomes operational later this year,” explained Director of Capital Projects John Simoneau.

“This is such a unique project for the entire team, as it relates to outfitting an observatory program with modern equipment, while also preserving a historic structure,” he said.

The telescope, explained Simoneau, was ordered in April 2024, from ASA Astrosysteme in Austria. Manufacturing of the instrument was completed within a year, and it began its journey from Austria to Brunswick shortly thereafter.  

A lot has happened in the last two years, since the old observatory, built in the early 1890s, was moved in its entirety to the middle of the athletic grounds in Pickard Field. It had previously sat in a nearby location where, increasingly shadowed by pine trees, the building had lain unused and neglected for more than three decades.

“There were many moments where we had to first learn about the specific astronomy requirements and why they were important, then design the project around them," said Simoneau, "from lighting control and color for night-time observation to structural needs for a large telescope and the important angles and direction to view objects in the night sky.

“Following the relocation, the contractor installed a foundation under the structure, and we then restored the grounds around it. During that time, the design team worked with the physics and astronomy department to advance a design concept for the complete project,” he added.

A Fitting Tribute
In February 2024, a significant gift to the project was made in memory of physics major Benjamin Hill-Lam ’13 by Hill-Lam’s father. A rocket fuel engineer at Johns Hopkins University Energetics Research Group, Hill-Lam died in a rock-climbing accident in 2021 at the age of thirty.

The gift covers the cost of the new telescope and much of the renovation and maintenance of the observatory, which is now known as the Benjamin Hill-Lam ’13 Observatory.

Laying the Foundation of Success
Construction began at the site in January of 2025 with the laying of the foundation for a new classroom building. That work proceeded through the winter and into the early summer.

Site improvements got underway in June with the construction of a large outdoor observation terrace featuring steel mounts that can be used with portable telescopes, said Simoneau. Inside the historic observatory, the contractor has cast a large concrete pier as a foundation for the new large telescope. This foundation had to be specifically engineered to be separate from the structure and to provide the stability the telescope needs for looking at distant objects in the night sky. Furthermore, he explained, the new dome includes automation systems to allow the movement of the dome to synchronize with the telescope when tracking objects in the firmament.

An Exciting Future
This crucial phase of the project is expected to wrap up in August following the installation of furniture and audio visual and networking equipment, as well as paving and landscaping for the site.  

Assistant Professor of Physics Fe McBride, who specializes in observational astrophysics, is excited by the “great progress” made on the observatory this year, particularly the  installation of the new dome and telescope. “I've only witnessed this type of operation once before, and it is an impressive moment for any observatory. We’re entering a new era for the study of astronomy at Bowdoin.” Once the renovation and construction are finished, it will be time to begin calibrating the telescope and instruments, said McBride, whose arrival at Bowdoin in 2022 ended a years-long search for a faculty member who could revamp the College’s astronomy program. “This will bring us one step closer to opening our doors to students and the community.”