The Sphinx Observatory isn’t the highest astronomical observatory on Earth, but it might feel like it to the lucky travelers who visit. To reach the observatory, they take a train up into the Alps, alight at Europe’s highest railway station, and ascend in an elevator tunneled inside the mountain. Once on top, stargazing is the academic focus, but visitors can take in sweeping views from the Sphinx’s 11,716-foot vantage. On either side are the Jungfrau and the Mönch, both members of the ‘four-thousander’ club—mountains that tower at least 4,000 meters (that’s 13,123 feet) above sea level.
A viewer with a view
Today in History
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St. Patricks Day
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Twas a night just like tonight
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In the Supertree Grove
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Taking the scenic route to Sturgis
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The moth wonderful time of the year
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Big Bend National Park in Texas turns 81
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Happy New Years Eve!
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Where the glow of the holidays lingers
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International Day for Monuments and Sites
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World Laughter Day
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On the rebirth of the Olympic Games
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Train crossing the Tadami River in Japan
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A wetland in Västmanland, Sweden
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Come out of your shell for World Turtle Day
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An iris garden in Tokyo, Japan
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Buddha in the roots of a tree, Ayutthaya, Thailand
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Burchells zebras for International Zebra Day
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A wassailing we go
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Przewalskis horses, Hustai National Park, Mongolia
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International Tiger Day
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Cecropia leaf and lobster claw petals in Mexico
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Silent night, sparkling lights, and hearts full of joy
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National Take a Hike Day
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Fall for Chile
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National Fossil Day
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Bay Marker Lookout, Sydney Olympic Park, Australia
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National Bison Day
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Things are looking up
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To Roswell, and beyond!
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Breckenridge, Colorado
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