as in lookouts
a high place or structure from which a wide view is possible
the observatory is located on a mountaintop
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of observatories
In this high-altitude corridor, several observatories operate side by side using some of the most sophisticated instruments ever engineered.
—
ABC News, 25 Apr. 2026
Mauna kea, Hawaii One of the highest-quality sky cams comes from Mauna Kea, home to world-class observatories like the Subaru Telescope.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 21 Apr. 2026
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
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
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
Early in her career, Rubin wasn’t allowed to collect her own data, and some observatories didn’t allow women, according to the documentary.
—Kif Leswing, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2025
ABC News, 25 Apr. 2026
Mauna kea, Hawaii One of the highest-quality sky cams comes from Mauna Kea, home to world-class observatories like the Subaru Telescope.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 21 Apr. 2026
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
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
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
Early in her career, Rubin wasn’t allowed to collect her own data, and some observatories didn’t allow women, according to the documentary.
—Kif Leswing, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for observatories
Noun
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With their panoramic vistas of Mount Rainier, the Cascade Range, alpine lakes, and evergreen forests, the park’s four historic fire lookouts—Mount Fremont, Shriner Peak, Gobbler’s Knob, and Tolmie Peak—deliver some of the best views.—
Zoe Baillargeon,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Apr. 2026
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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
Noun
-
Office renovations and conversions in Charlotte Post-COVID, office towers have to either entice people to come back to the cubicle or change uses.—
Caitlin McGlade,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The Box was established in 2007 in downtown LA, long before the rise of the glassy towers that now crowd the area.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Community members have shared photos of the dogs at various scenic overlooks along the parkway, and residents report the animals appear to be losing weight over time.—
Ryan Brennan
April 21,
Miami Herald,
21 Apr. 2026
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The pair has been seen at various scenic overlooks, and community members have shared photos of them on social media.—
Ryan Brennan
April 21,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Observatories.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/observatories. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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