Lowell Observatory

Experiences

Your cosmic adventure starts here. Check out science talks, tours, open houses, planetarium shows, and telescope viewing.

Experiences

Audience

    Lowell Universe Theater Show

    25 Mins

    One small step was just the beginning. Now, we take one step beyond, driven by curiosity, bound for Mars, and ready to write the boldest chapter in human exploration. Experience the thrill of launch, the challenges of life in space, the cutting-edge technology of NASA’s Artemis program, and the search for life that could transform how we see our planet, our past, and our place in the cosmos as we prepare for humanity’s biggest step yet: setting foot on Mars. This immersive and inspiring film has won the 2025 Audience Award in the Fulldome Festival Brno and the 2026 Best Children’s…Continue

    Daily

    Lowell Universe Theater Show

    25 Mins

    Explore Lowell Observatory’s beginnings, from Mars research by Percival Lowell to an up-close view of the iconic Clark Telescope used to train Apollo 11 astronauts.

    Daily

    Schedule subject to change. Ask Visitor Center for more details

    Exhibit

    All-Day

    Off-Site Event

    Multi-Day Event

    Jun
    26

    Friday, June 26, 2026
    11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
    Included with General Admission

    Classes & Excursions

    2 Hours

    Stop struggling and start exploring! Join Lowell Observatory’s experts for a hands-on introduction to portable telescope operation under pristine dark skies at the Giovale Open Deck Observatory. You’ll take the controls as you learn to calibrate, sight, and navigate the night sky using both Dobsonian and Equatorial mounts. By the end of the night, you’ll be admiring celestial targets you found yourself. Upcoming Classes:May 19 at 8pmJune 16 at 8pmJuly 21 at 8pmAug 18 at 7:30pmSept 15 at 7pm Note: To ensure all participants get the most out of their experience, please leave personal telescopes at home.  *Classes are subject to…Continue

    On-Site Event

    45 mins

    Jul
    25

    Worlds Revealed Speaker Series

    Saturday, July 25, 2026
    7:00 PM - 7:45 PM
    Included with General Admission

    Lowell Universe Theater Show

    25 Mins

    Join us on a journey through the solar system as we visit each of the planets! Travel from scorching-hot Mercury to icy Neptune and Pluto during this live presentation. Along the way, you’ll learn cool facts, see stunning visuals, and discover what makes each planet unique. This live presentation is a great way to spark curiosity and inspire future space explorers of all ages.

    Daily

    Schedule subject to change. Ask Visitor Center for more details

    On-Site Event

    2 hrs

    Jun
    07

    Sunday, June 07, 2026
    7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    Included w/ General Admission

    Open House

    Varies

    Built in 1916, the Slipher Building is one of Lowell Observatory’s most storied landmarks. It’s home to the Rotunda Museum, where some of the most significant artifacts in American astronomy history are on display. Among the highlights: the Blink Comparator used by Clyde Tombaugh to identify Pluto in 1930, Percival Lowell’s first personal telescope, and a genuine space shuttle tire. Above it all hangs the Saturn Lamp, a stunning stained-glass light fixture crafted by the Los Angeles Light Company in 1918. Explore over a century of scientific history at your own pace, all within a building that once neighbored the…Continue

    Daily except Tuesdays