Lowell Observatory – Flagstaff, Arizona

What is the purpose of the Lowell Observatory?  It is to pursue the study of astronomy, especially the study of our solar system and its evolution.  It also conducts pure research in astronomical phenomena.  Another critical part is the outreach and public education programs to share with the rest of the world.

The observatory is located on Mars Hill campus one mile west of downtown Flagstaff.  There sits the 6,500 sq ft Steel Visitor Center where tours are guided every 15 minutes past the hour from 9:15 am through 4:15 pm and tours, exhibits and telescope viewing in the evenings.  You will be able to experience the heavens as you have never seen them before, it will be like looking at wide-screen cinematic multimedia shows.

You can explore the Discover the Universe exhibit hall and watch the 15 minute multimedia show "Lowell Observatory: A New Century of Discovery" in the Giclas Lecture Hall.  This will be well worth your time.

Shows in the John Vickers McAllister Space Theatere begin at the top of every hour from 10 – 4.

At night the doors open at 5:30 with telescope viewing if the weather cooperates and begins as soon as it is dark enough.  The 15 minute "Sky Tonight" multimedia show repeats throughout the evening in the Giclas Lecture Hall.

Astronomer Clyde Tombaugh discovered the planet Pluto at the Lowell Observatory.  This discovery (which some still say the tiny chunk of icy rock is really just an asteroid at best) came years after the death of the observatory founder, Percival Lowell, who had built the observatory in 1894 in Arizona so he could get a better look at the planet Mars.  Lowell had spent the last years of his life looking for "Planet X" which turned out to be Pluto and only 6 degrees from where Lowell had predicted before his death in 1916.  Pluto was found in 1930.

Lowell Observatory is one of the largest privately operated astronomical research observatories in the world.  It operates nine telescopes at two locations in Arizona and one in Australia.  Both the famous 24 inch Clark refractor telescope that Lowell had bult especially for viewing Mars as well as the Pluto telescope that Clyde Tombaugh used are on Mars Hill and open to the public.  The observatory’s primary research telescopes are now about 10 miles southeast on Anderson Mesa and are typically closed to the public.

Open Hours: Day November through February                        Noon – 5
                                March through October                                  9 – 5

Evening hours: September – May     Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat              5:30 – 9:30
                             June – August          Mon – Sat.                          5:30 – 10 pm

Admission:

Adults                            $6
Sr/AAA/College            $5
Youth 5-17                    $3
Under 5                        Free

The Lowell Observatory is at an elevation of 7200 ft so brink water and pace yourself if you are not accustomed to the thin air.

The Observatory is closed for New Years Day, July 4th evening, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and New Years Eve.

Related posts:

1. Kitt Peak National Observatory – Tucson, Arizona
2. Fort Lowell Museum – Tucson, Arizona
3. Museum of Northern Arizona – Flagstaff, Arizona
4. Meteor Crater Center – Flagstaff, Arizona
5. Antelope Canyon Tours From Flagstaff Arizona