We’ve officially moved into Phase 2 of our phased reopening plan! This means that we’re unveiling some brand new ways to experience the universe at Lowell. Read on to learn more about the out-of-this-world admission options we’re rolling out this month!
Daytime Tours & Family Adventures
Starting on the 2nd of this month, we began offering two brand-new daytime experiences: the Mars Hill Guided Tour and the Mars and Pluto Family Adventure. These socially-distanced campus tours that take you back in time to learn the history of Lowell and the groundbreaking discoveries that were made here.
Mars Hill Guided Tour
The daytime Mars Hill Guided Tour lasts 90 minutes and takes you back to the founding of Lowell Observatory by Percival Lowell in 1894. This Guided Tour is led by an observatory educator and includes stops at the historic 24” Clark Refractor, the Pluto Discovery Telescope, and the new Giovale Open Deck Observatory for solar observing.
Note: This daytime Family Adventure does not include evening stargazing.
Mars & Pluto Family Adventure
Future planetary scientists, take note! The daytime Mars and Pluto Family Adventure lasts 90 minutes and highlights the planets that were famously studied at Lowell Observatory. This guided tour is led by an observatory educator and includes spectroscopy and liquid nitrogen science experiments as well as stops at the 32-foot-long Clark Refractor that Percival Lowell used to study Mars, the Pluto Discovery Telescope that Clyde Tombaugh used to discover Pluto, and the new Giovale Open Deck Observatory where you’ll safely observe the Sun, weather permitting.
Note: This daytime Family Adventure does not include evening stargazing.
Evening Tours & Telescope Viewing
Starting on the 12th, we will begin offering a selection of nighttime experiences in addition to our daytime ones! These will include the Expanding Universe Guided Tour, Dark Skies Guided Tour, and Super Scopes Family Adventure. Unlike our daytime admission options, these tours will offer evening stargazing.
Dark Skies Guided Tour
The nighttime Dark Skies Guided Tour lasts 60 minutes and gives you an intimate look at the wonders of the night sky. This Guided Tour is led by an observatory educator and includes a laser-guided constellation tour and viewing at all six telescopes of the Giovale Open Deck Observatory.
In the event that weather makes viewing difficult, the Dark Skies Tour will replace telescope viewing with a tour of the Giovale Open Deck Observatory and constellation tours will be replaced with a tour of the Pluto telescope.
Note: This tour does not include visits to the historic 24” Clark refractor or the 13” astrograph used to discover Pluto.
Expanding Universe Guided Tour
The Expanding Universe Tour lasts 120 minutes and is designed for astronomy enthusiasts who don’t want to miss a thing. This Guided Tour is led by an observatory educator and includes stops at the historic 24” Clark Refractor and the Pluto Discovery Telescope. It also includes evening viewing at all six telescopes of the Giovale Open Deck Observatory and a laser-guided constellation tour.
In the event that weather makes viewing difficult, the Expanding Universe Tour will replace telescope viewing with a tour of the Giovale Open Deck Observatory and constellation tours will be replaced with a tour of the Putnam Collection Center.
Super Scopes Family Adventure
Calling all young astronomers! The Super Scopes Family Adventure lasts 90 minutes and highlights the planets that were famously studied at Lowell Observatory. This guided tour is led by an observatory educator and includes spectroscopy and liquid nitrogen science experiments as well as stops at the 32-foot-long Clark Refractor that Percival Lowell used to study Mars, the Pluto Discovery Telescope that Clyde Tombaugh used to discover Pluto, and the new Giovale Open Deck Observatory where you will observe the stars.
Note: Due to the rotation of Earth, sunset times change throughout the year and stargazing may not be available.