Lowell Observatory

Interactive Stargazing LIVE from Grand Canyon National Park!
2024-05-16 08:00 - 21:00 (America/Phoenix) | AZ
Don’t miss this Interactive Stargazing experience! Kevin Schindler from Lowell Observatory will be hosting a livestream with Dark Skies Program Manager and Ranger Rader Lane live from Grand Canyon National Park. This extraordinary event will take place on May 16th at 8:00 p.m. MST* and will provide viewers with a rare opportunity to view the stars from home.
Rader will be sharing a preview of what’s planned for the upcoming Grand Canyon Star Party, including featured speakers and astronomers and will also be available to answer questions about the event. Attendees will also have the opportunity to drive the conversation on which dark sky objects they’d like to see via the YouTube chat. It’s stargazing, reimagined!
Set a reminder to watch here.
*Arizona does not observe daylight saving time. Please confirm the start times within your regional time zone ahead of the event.

From Lead to Gold: The Alchemy of the Stars
2024-05-17 20:00 - 21:00, 2024-05-18 20:00 - 21:00 | AZ
Science Talk | From Lead to Gold: The Alchemy of the Stars
When Carl Sagan once said, “The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff,” he meant it literally! Nearly all the atoms that make up us, and everything around us, are created in the fiery death of exploding stars. PhD Candidate Sam Usman will talk about how these elements are made, how we learn about them and what’s left to be uncovered.
Talk is included with general admission!
About Sam Usman
Sam Usman is a PhD candidate at the University of Chicago. During her undergrad and masters programs, she did research on gravitational waves with LIGO. She has since moved from the dark side to the light, using optical telescopes to observe stars in Milky Way globular clusters and the outer halo. For her thesis, she studies chemical patterns unique to dense star clusters and their remnants. In her free time, she enjoys doing agility courses with her dog, making ceramic mugs and vases, competing in Brazilian jiu jitsu and playing games with her wife.

Moon Viewing Party at High Country Motor Lodge
2024-05-18 20:30 - 22:30 | High Country Motor Lodge, 1000 W Rte 66, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001, United States
Embark on a celestial journey with astronomers from Lowell Observatory as we delve into the mysteries of the Moon, stars and constellations. With the lunar phase at 82% illumination, and the Moon poised high in the sky, join us for an enchanting evening of astral exploration. Peer through telescopes for an up-close encounter with the Moon’s captivating features while gaining fascinating insights into the wonders of our nocturnal cosmos.

Meet An Astronomer
2024-06-01 19:00 - 22:00 | Lowell Observatory, 1400 W Mars Hill Rd, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001, United States
This Saturday, come up to Mars Hill and meet Lowell astronomer Dr. Gerard van Belle!
Take a peek at real-time images of planets, stars, galaxies, and other celestial objects to be displayed on a large television screen outdoors with our new MallinCam. This is your opportunity to see interesting objects in the night sky, learn about an astronomer’s research, and ask questions you might have about any topic in astronomy. This event takes place every Saturday at 7pm and is included with an all-day general admission ticket.

Meet A Planetary Astronomer
2024-06-08 19:00 - 22:00, 2024-06-29 20:00 - 23:00 | Lowell Observatory, 1400 W Mars Hill Rd, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001, United States
This Saturday, come up to Mars Hill and meet Lowell Planetary Astronomer, Dr. Larry Wasserman!
Take a peek at real-time images of planets, stars, galaxies and other celestial objects to be displayed on a large television screen outdoors with our new MallinCam. This is your opportunity to see interesting objects in the night sky, learn about an astronomer’s research, and ask questions you might have about any topic in astronomy. This event takes place every Saturday at 7pm and is included with an all-day general admission ticket.

Tour of the Universe: You Are Here
2024-06-10 19:00 - 20:00 | AZ
Join Dean Regas on an exploration through space and sail among billions of stars and galaxies. Utilizing some amazing simulation software I’ll guide you through the mind-boggling scale of the universe. Along the way you’ll stop at the Moon and individual planets. Then you’ll make the jump to light speed and head to interstellar space and see all the galaxies in the universe.

Meet An Astrophysicist
2024-06-15 19:00 - 22:00, 2024-06-22 20:00 - 23:00 | Lowell Observatory, 1400 W Mars Hill Rd, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001, United States
This Saturday, come up to Mars Hill and meet Astrophysicist, Taylor Kutra!
Take a peek at real-time images of planets, stars, galaxies and other celestial objects to be displayed on a large television screen outdoors with our new MallinCam. This is your opportunity to see interesting objects in the night sky, learn about an astronomer’s research, and ask questions you might have about any topic in astronomy. This event takes place every Saturday at 7pm and is included with an all-day general admission ticket.

Movies on the Square
2024-06-20 17:00 - 19:00 | Heritage Square, 22 E Aspen Ave, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001, United States
Each summer, the Flagstaff Downtown Business Alliance presents Movies on the Square, a FREE, family-friendly evening on Heritage Square – Flagstaff’s downtown living room. There will be live music and activities followed by the movie at dusk.
Lowell Observatory will be there to offer out-of-this-world science activities, space trivia, and solar viewing! Stop by to add some educational fun to your movie night. We’ll see you on the square!

Moonrise Program
2024-06-20 18:30 - 19:30, 2024-07-21 19:55 - 21:00 | Rotunda Museum, Lowell Observatory, 1400 W Mars Hill Rd, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001, United States
Join a Lowell Observatory educator at the Rotunda Museum for a talk on the origin and features of the Moon and the role of the observatory in lunar exploration. After the talk, we will take a walk to the observatory overlook to view the rising Moon through a telescope.
This talk is included with general admission.
*Time and date changes each month
Location: Rotunda Museum

Asteroid Day 2024
2024-06-30 10:00 - 23:00 | Rotunda Museum, Lowell Observatory, 1400 W Mars Hill Rd, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001, United States
Join us for activities, demonstrations, food, and drink at Meteor Crater & Barringer Space Museum from 10am – 5pm, and at Lowell Observatory from 7pm – 11pm for special science talks and stargazing. Book your tickets now at asteroiddayaz.com.
Meteor Crater 10am – 5pm
✦ Astro-themed Trivia & Games
✦ Asteroid Science Demonstrations
✦ Local Food Truck
✦ Drink Specials
✦ Full Rim Tour
✦ Face Painting
✦ Children Activities
✦ Giveaways & Prizes
✦ Music and Special Guests
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Lowell Observatory 7pm – 11pm
✦ Science Talks | 7pm & 8pm
Dr. Nick Moskovitz will discuss a project that utilizes off-the-shelf security cameras to image meteors and allow scientists to predict the location of potential meteorite impacts.
Brian Skiff will also share the intriguing story of Zoozve—an asteroid that appears to orbit Venus as a quasi-moon—which captured the imagination of the public last year.
✦ Stargazing at the historic Clark Refractor and Giovale Open Deck Observatory*

*Weather Permitting

Meet An Astronomer
2024-07-06 20:00 - 23:00 | Lowell Observatory, 1400 W Mars Hill Rd, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001, United States
This Saturday, come up to Mars Hill and meet Lowell astronomer Dr. Michael West!
Take a peek at real-time images of planets, stars, galaxies and other celestial objects to be displayed on a large television screen outdoors with our new MallinCam. This is your opportunity to see interesting objects in the night sky, learn about an astronomer’s research, and ask questions you might have about any topic in astronomy. This event takes place every Saturday at 7pm and is included with an all-day general admission ticket.

Kids Squared
2024-07-09 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-07-23 10:00 - 11:00 | Heritage Square, 22 E Aspen Ave, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001, United States
Join Lowell Observatory, Planet Science, and the Flagstaff Downtown Business Alliance for Kids Squared! This free event provides fun, engaging activities for kids and parents!

Meet an Astronomer
2024-07-13 20:00 - 23:00, 2024-08-17 20:00 - 23:00 | Lowell Observatory, Rotunda Museum, 1400 W Mars Hill Rd, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001, United States
This Saturday, come up to Mars Hill and meet Astronomer Dr. Gerard van Belle!
Take a peek at real-time images of planets, stars, galaxies and other celestial objects to be displayed on a large television screen outdoors with our new MallinCam. This is your opportunity to see interesting objects in the night sky, learn about an astronomer’s research, and ask questions you might have about any topic in astronomy. This event takes place every Saturday at 8pm and is included with an all-day general admission ticket.

Lowell Observatory at Movies on the Square
2024-07-20 17:00 - 19:00, 2024-08-17 17:00 - 19:00 | Heritage Square, 22 E Aspen Ave, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001, United States

Meet a Planetary Scientist
2024-07-20 20:00 - 23:00, 2024-08-03 20:00 - 23:00 | AZ
This Saturday, come up to Mars Hill and meet Planetary Scientist Dr. Larry Wasserman!
Take a peek at real-time images of planets, stars, galaxies and other celestial objects to be displayed on a large television screen outdoors with our new MallinCam. This is your opportunity to see interesting objects in the night sky, learn about an astronomer’s research, and ask questions you might have about any topic in astronomy. This event takes place every Saturday at 8pm and is included with an all-day general admission ticket.

LIVE from Grand Canyon: Turning the Park Dark | Live Star Stuff Podcast
2024-07-21 14:00 - 15:00 | AZ
Join us for an out-of-this-world live podcast on Sunday, July 21 at 2pm MST with our friends at Grand Canyon Conservancy! We will be joined by former Astronomer in Residence and Lowell Observatory Public Information Officer Kevin Schindler, Grand Canyon Conservancy Residency Manager Clover Morell, and Dark Sky Ranger Rader Lane.

We’re blasting off into exciting topics, including the Astronomer in Residence program—find out why you need to apply! We’ll chat about our alumni program, the magic of dark skies at Grand Canyon, and celebrate Grand Canyon National Park’s achievement of reaching 90% dark sky compliance with new dark sky-friendly lighting fixtures throughout the park. We’ll also recap Star Party 2024 and so much more!

Don’t miss out on this stellar event!

Astronomy on Tap: Searching for the Youngest Hot Jupiter
2024-07-23 18:30 - 20:30 | Mother Road Brewing Co., 7 S Mikes Pike St, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001, United States
Join us at Mother Road Brewing Co. on the 23rd at 6:30pm for this month’s Astronomy on Tap! Shih-Yun Tang will be talking about the search for hot Jupiters around the youngest stars, known as T Tauri stars! We’ll hold trivia after the talk, where you’ll have the chance to win some fun prizes. As always, there will be plenty of Mother Road brews on tap to enjoy. We’ll see you there!

Meet An Astronomer
2024-07-27 20:00 - 23:00 | Lowell Observatory, 1400 W Mars Hill Rd, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001, United States
This Saturday, come up to Mars Hill and meet Astronomer Dr. Tyler Richey-Yowell!
Take a peek at real-time images of planets, stars, galaxies and other celestial objects to be displayed on a large television screen outdoors with our new MallinCam. This is your opportunity to see interesting objects in the night sky, learn about an astronomer’s research, and ask questions you might have about any topic in astronomy. This event takes place every Saturday at 7pm and is included with an all-day general admission ticket.

Star Party at High Country Motor Lodge
2024-08-03 20:30 - 22:30 | High Country Motor Lodge, 1000 W Rte 66, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001, United States
Explore the universe with astronomers from Lowell Observatory at High Country Motor Lodge! View constellations, star clusters, galaxies, the moon, and more. Learn about the night sky and peer through telescopes for an up-close encounter with our nocturnal cosmos.
Free Admission | Open to the Public

Astronomy on Tap at Arizona Snowbowl
2024-08-10 17:00 - 18:30 | Agassiz Lodge & Restaurant, 9300 N Snow Bowl Rd, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001, United States
At this special Astronomy on Tap event at Arizona Snowbowl, Lowell Astronomer Dr. Taylor Kutra will be talking about planets around white dwarfs! These events are held at Agassiz Lodge, where you can enjoy food and drink while watching the fascinating science presentations. We’ll hold trivia after the talk, and you’ll have the chance to win Lowell and Snowbowl prizes!

After the event, you can take a ride up the Arizona Gondola to catch the sunset! Astronomy on Tap is free and requires no ticket. Tickets for the Sunset Gondola can be purchased here: https://www.snowbowl.ski/sunset-gondola-rides/

Meet an Astronomer
2024-08-10 20:00 - 23:00 | Lowell Observatory, 1400 W Mars Hill Rd, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001, United States
This Saturday, come up to Mars Hill and meet Astronomer Dr. James Sikora!
Take a peek at real-time images of planets, stars, galaxies and other celestial objects to be displayed on a large television screen outdoors with our new MallinCam. This is your opportunity to see interesting objects in the night sky, learn about an astronomer’s research, and ask questions you might have about any topic in astronomy. This event takes place every Saturday at 8pm and is included with an all-day general admission ticket.

Desert Botanical Gardens Flashlight Nights
2024-08-17 18:30 - 21:30 | Desert Botanical Gardens, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ, 85008, United States
Escape the heat and explore the Garden after dark with family and friends! Discover the Garden’s five thematic trails, encounter desert creatures, and immerse yourself in the captivating nighttime ambiance with cool drinks and treats. Enjoy access to food trucks and Breezy Pops for sale. Garden will be selling s’mores and drinks and more from their pop-up bars serving non-alcoholic and adult beverages.
Lowell Observatory will be our featured guest and they will have telescopes for all to enjoy, along with space-themed interactive activities.
Included with Desert Botanical Garden Membership or General Admission
