Built in 1931, Weaver Observatory houses Wittenberg's historic 10-inch refracting telescope as well as modern astronomical instrumentation. Completely refurbished in 2003, the telescope is regularly used by students in astronomy classes and provides spectacular views of the Moon, planets and deep-space objects. Associate Professor of Physics Dan Fleisch has opened the observatory to the Springfield community several times to share celestial wonders. In the summer of 2003, more than 2,000 visitors to Weaver Observatory observed the close approach of Mars and other celestial events. Weaver Observatory is also home to the offices of The Torch, Wittenberg's student newspaper.