Yerkes Observatory, an astronomy learning center in Williams Bay, is closing after more than 100 years of operation. (File photo/Regional News)
Yerkes Observatory, an astronomy learning center and former research facility in Williams Bay, is scheduled to cease operations by Oct. 1. (File photo/Regional News)
Patrons gather on the lawn at Yerkes Observatory last summer for a special eclipse-viewing event. (Contributed photo/Regional News)
Members of the Lake County, Illinois, Astronomical Society gather outside the main entrance to Yerkes Observatory a few years ago. (Contributed photo/Regional News)
Yerkes Observatory and about 50 surrounding acres of land has been donated to a private foundation, while other acreage could be sold off for new residential development.
File photo, Regional News
Williams Bay High School students, from left, Tommy Anderson, Ian Stratton, Peter, M.J. Corey and Jacob Laing, participated in the Yerkes Astrophysics Academy for Young Scientists program. (Contributed photo/Regional News)
Yerkes Observatory in Williams Bay, owned by the University of Chicago, is often described as the birthplace of modern astrophysics. (Photo by Scott Williams/Regional News)
Albert Einstein, standing eighth from the right with a dark mustache, visited the Yerkes Observatory in Williams Bay in 1921. (Contributed photo/Regional News)
Pam Lindley shows the special glasses she wore at Yerkes Observatory last summer for an eclipse viewing event. (Contributed photo/Regional News)
Donna Elbert started out as a scientist’s assistant at Yerkes Observatory, above, but she ended up helping with research. (File photo/Regional News)
Residents throughout the Lake Geneva area are surely disappointed that The University of Chicago will no longer operate Yerkes Observatory in Williams Bay.
Yerkes Observatory, an astronomy learning center and former research facility in Williams Bay, is scheduled to cease operations by Oct. 1. (File photo/Regional News)
Members of the Lake County, Illinois, Astronomical Society gather outside the main entrance to Yerkes Observatory a few years ago. (Contributed photo/Regional News)
Yerkes Observatory and about 50 surrounding acres of land has been donated to a private foundation, while other acreage could be sold off for new residential development.
Williams Bay High School students, from left, Tommy Anderson, Ian Stratton, Peter, M.J. Corey and Jacob Laing, participated in the Yerkes Astrophysics Academy for Young Scientists program. (Contributed photo/Regional News)
Yerkes Observatory in Williams Bay, owned by the University of Chicago, is often described as the birthplace of modern astrophysics. (Photo by Scott Williams/Regional News)
Albert Einstein, standing eighth from the right with a dark mustache, visited the Yerkes Observatory in Williams Bay in 1921. (Contributed photo/Regional News)