Astronomy Discovery Center Grand Opening Celebration

Grand Opening

November 16, 2024

When

10:30am - 10pm

Price

$35 Adults (18+)

$20 Children

Buy Tickets

It's Finally Here!

The grand opening of the Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center is almost here! Witness the historic ribbon-cutting ceremony and be among the first to experience this cutting-edge, 40,000-square-foot science facility. There will be fun activities for kids and adults, free previews, special celebrity guests, food and drinks, science demonstrations, telescope viewing, and more.

Book your tickets for this long-awaited event today!

Grand Opening Schedule

Ribbon Cutting

✦ Musical Ensemble | 10am

✦ Ribbon Cutting Ceremony | 10:30am

✦ Doors Open | 11am


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

✦ Fun Activities & Booths | 11am – 4pm

  • Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition
  • Coconino Astronomical Society
  • Hozhoni Foundation Arts & Crafts Table
  • Rondough’s Mini-Donuts
  • Meteor Crater

✦ 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

✦ 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

 

Opening celebrations generously sponsored by:

Stellar Experiences

Welcome to the era of the Astronomy Discovery Center at Lowell Observatory! Your General Admission ticket will now include access to the Orbits Curiosity Zone children’s exhibit hall, the Stardust Lab Astronomy Gallery for all ages, the rooftop Dark Sky Planetarium, the Giovale Open Deck Observatory with 6 advanced state-of-the-art telescopes, and all science talks, tours, and exhibits, including the Pluto Discovery Dome and the famous Clark Telescope.

Coming Soon: The Lowell Universe Theater. Once tickets are available for this unique live performance experience in the new 160-degree, multi-story LED theater, you will receive an email alert.

*Renderings on this page are conceptual and subject to change.

  • Lowell Universe Theater

    The Lowell Universe Theater will be an attraction in its own right, employing features of a planetarium, but designed to include a stage that continues our emphasis on using live educators to present science content. Providing seating for about 180 guests, the Universe Theater includes a 160° curved, wrap-around screen and a ceiling screen that together can place guests on the surfaces of worlds like Mars or Pluto.

  • Dark Sky Planetarium

    Situated on the rooftop of the Astronomy Discovery Center, the circular Dark Sky Planetarium will use the dark skies of Flagstaff, Arizona, as a natural planetarium dome. Lowell educators will take guests on a live journey among the stars, constellations, and planets that are visible to the unaided eye, all from the comfort of heated seats. Educators will enhance the familiar laser pointer presentation with customized audio-visual components for an experience unlike any other in the world.

  • Orbits Curiosity Zone

    The Astronomy Discovery Center’s exhibit gallery for children will serve as northern Arizona’s only children’s science museum. Interactive exhibits designed specifically for preschoolers and elementary school children bring astronomy to life. Exhibits will include interactive displays and take-away activities to further engage guests after their visit.

  • Astronomy Gallery

    The new Astronomy Discovery Center will employ the most advanced exhibition tools. This gallery will explore questions like “where are we” and “how did we get here.” The Astronomy Gallery will allow guests to experience the many ways scientists seek answers about the cosmos. Visitors will leave feeling connected to and curious about the Universe.

See All Opening Celebration Sponsors Here

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