It is operated by the university's Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences (APS), which primarily utilizes the facilities and equipment of the observatory for teaching as well as some research.

These funds were used to construct the observatory, which was built in an adapted rural Italian style to match buildings on the campus.

The 10-inch lens of the Bausch telescope was fitted onto the heliostat on top of the Duane Physics Building on the University’s campus.

[2] In 1981, an addition was built to provide space for a new observing deck that hosted an 18-inch teaching telescope along with four darkrooms, a laboratory, offices and a workshop.

In 1989, the Astrophysical & Planetary Sciences Department introduced the lab/lecture Introduction to Astronomy courses, which greatly benefited from the new technology and expanded the involvement of undergraduate students.

In 2006, the original lens for the Bausch & Lomb telescope cracked beyond repair due to constant heating and cooling from use in the heliostat.