Everything You Need to Know About the Grand Opening of the ADC
As you have (hopefully) heard by now, the Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center (ADC) will celebrate its official opening on November 16, 2024*.
As any member of Lowell staff will tell you, it has been a very, very long road to get here. There have been many trials and tribulations, tears and triumphs, weather delays and – oh yeah, an entire COVID-19 pandemic. But somehow, we made it through with our sanity mostly intact. Mostly.
With the Grand Opening Event just two weeks away, we thought we’d go over some of the highlights of what the day’s festivities will hold, plus some tips for an easy-breezy ticket-buying and entry process and how you can make the most of your experience.
*Pssst…find out how you can get in even earlier here.
Check-In
Guests will be able to start checking in at 10am. There will be two separate lines: one for pre-purchased tickets, and one for purchasing tickets at the door. If you decide to purchase your tickets in advance, be sure to have them open on your phone and ready to scan. It also helps if you turn up your screen’s brightness! Look for the covered tent to redeem your tickets between 10am and 11am if you arrive early.
Once you’re checked in, you can enjoy the smooth melodies of a musical ensemble playing outside of the ADC ahead of the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
The ribbon-cutting ceremony will begin at 10:30am, with opening remarks from observatory sole trustee Lowell Putnam, Flagstaff mayor Becky Daggett, and other public officials. Once the ceremony is complete, doors will open at 11am and guests can begin exploring the exhibit halls of the ADC.
Programming
✦ Solar Viewing | 11am – Dusk*
✦ Telescope Viewing | Dusk – 9:30pm*
- Giovale Open Deck Observatory
- Clark Telescope
– Saturn Viewing | 7pm – 8:30pm
– Moon Viewing | 8:30pm – 9:30pm
✦ Open House | 11am – 6:30pm | Historic Pluto Dome, Historic Clark Dome
✦ Open House | 11am – 9:30pm | Rotunda Museum
✦ Beer Garden | 11am – 4pm | Rooftop Terrace
✦ Celestial Visions | 11am – 1pm | Lowell Universe Theater
✦ “Imagine the Universe” Live Show [Separate Ticket Required] | 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, 8pm | Lowell Universe Theater
✦ Rooftop Stargazing Tour | 8pm & 9pm | Dark Sky Planetarium
✦ Activities & Booths | 11am – 4pm
- Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition
- Coconino Astronomical Society
- Hozhoni Foundation Arts & Crafts Table
- Rondough’s Mini-Donuts
✦ In Focus: Story of Pluto | 1:30pm, 3pm, 4:30pm | Historic Pluto Dome
✦ In Focus: Origins of Lowell | 2pm, 3:30pm, 5pm | Historic Clark Dome
*Weather dependent
Special Guest Speakers & Talks
We’re so excited to announce that there will be some very special guest speakers at the Grand Opening, including astronaut and inspiration to us all Nicole Stott, Outlander series author Diana Gabaldon, and principal investigator of the New Horizons mission to Pluto Alan Stern. Check out the schedule of can’t-miss talks below!
✦ Diverse Universe Wall Dedication & Writing Contest Winner Readings | 1pm | ADC Second Floor
✦ Astronaut Nicole Stott | 3pm | Great Planetary Hall
✦ New Horizons Principal Investigator Dr. Alan Stern | 4pm | Great Planetary Hall
✦ Author Diana Gabaldon | 5pm | Great Planetary Hall