Astronomy Discovery Center Virtual Walkthrough
Infinite Wonders Await
Welcome to a New Era of Discovery
Opened in November of 2024, Lowell Observatory’s Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center (ADC) is a 40,000-square-foot, multi-level facility designed to inspire awe and curiosity. This major tourism attraction features an outdoor planetarium, immersive theater, children’s exhibit hall, café, and more, each crafted to enhance the visitor experience and foster a love of science.
Visitors to the ADC engage in free-choice learning, a self-motivated exploration of topics of interest. According to ADC Interpretive Content Manager Samantha Gorney, this type of learning is crucial for building scientific literacy and inquiry skills, particularly in children. The exhibits are designed to be accessible and inclusive, incorporating visual, tactile, auditory, and olfactory elements to ensure a rich experience for all.
Read on for an in-depth walkthrough of each section of the ADC!
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Artistic Rendering of the ADC
Greg Mort
Martian Statue
Upon arriving at the ADC, visitors are welcomed by three playful “Martians” gathered around a sculpture of the Perseverance Mars Rover. This whimsical art piece pays homage to observatory founder Percival Lowell’s relentless quest to find life on Mars. The “Martians” are portrayed as oversized microbes—a humorous contradiction—highlighting that if life ever existed (or still exists) on Mars, it was likely microbial. This sculpture makes a fantastic spot for group photos!
Prism Hall and Lobby
The Prism Hall’s stunning stained-glass skylight scatters rainbow light patterns across the floor and walls of the ADC’s entryway. To the left of the entrance lies the Starry Skies Shop, while the Planet X Cafe is located to the right. Directly ahead, guests find the front desk, where they can buy tickets, pick up maps, and ask questions about programming. Monitors behind the desk and hanging overhead display the day’s schedule, including showtimes, open houses, and telescope viewing sessions.
Starry Skies Shop
The Starry Skies Shop is the observatory’s gift shop, offering visitors a variety of unique souvenirs to remember their time at Lowell. The selection features fun t-shirts, educational STEM toys, stickers, water bottles, enamel pins, and more! New to the collection are charming plush versions of our Curiosity Zone mascots, Marzee and Pluie.
Planet X Café
Planet X Cafe, catered by the locally-owned Jitters Lunchbox, offers a menu of hot and cold sandwiches, soups, salads, and beverages. Open throughout the afternoon and evening, the cafe provides a relaxing spot for guests to enjoy a meal or snack between the observatory’s many public astronomy events. With seating for around 40 guests, visitors can dine outdoors on the patio, surrounded by the observatory’s pine-covered landscape, or indoors by a cozy, sandstone-lined fireplace.
Origins Gallery
The Origins Gallery serves as the central hub of the ADC, connecting visitors to all exhibit halls and attractions within the building. At the heart of this space is the Origins exhibit, an artistic representation of the universe’s evolution — from the Big Bang to the emergence of life on Earth. Suspended from the ceiling, the exhibit’s centerpiece symbolizes the transformation of matter from its simplest post-Big Bang forms to the complex elements essential for life. Individually controlled lights along the structure create dynamic patterns, evoking a sense of motion. The landforms section of the exhibit features three-dimensional surfaces enhanced with projections, showcasing the beauty and diversity of life on Earth, from microscopic organisms to large-scale ecosystems.
Astronomy Gallery: Stardust Lab
The Stardust Lab offers unique, thought-provoking, and accessible exhibits that encourage visitors to reflect on their place in the universe while exploring the many planets and solar systems being discovered in our galaxy. Each exhibit features visual, audio, and touch components to ensure that all visitors are included in experiencing them. Guests can also send recorded messages into the cosmos through a digital interface and listen to messages left by others. The gallery’s central theme is the idea that we are all made of stardust. One exhibit even engages the senses by letting visitors experience the scents of the universe!
Orbits Curiosity Zone
The Orbits Curiosity Zone is an interactive exhibit hall created for budding scientists, marking Northern Arizona’s first children’s hands-on science exhibit hall. Vibrant and engaging displays blend fun with learning as kids explore the wonders of the cosmos, led by the charming alien mascots, Marzee and Pluie. Interactive features like the Rocket Launcher allow kids to custom-build and launch their own rockets, designed to deliver an exciting, hands-on learning experience packed with discovery and fun!
Lowell Universe Theater
This state-of-the-art theater’s core design feature is an attraction in its own right, employing features of a planetarium, but customized to continue the observatory’s emphasis on live presenters. Its two-story, 160-degree wrap-around LED screen delivers a fully immersive experience. With seating for up to 180 guests, the space features a stage where educators and actors lead interactive programs, staying true to Lowell’s hands-on approach. The Universe Theater transports visitors across the cosmos — from the heart of ancient meteor impacts on Earth to the distant surfaces of Mars, Pluto, and beyond. Recorded films, such as This is Lowell featuring Lowell astronomer Dr. Tyler Richey-Yowell, are also shown in the theater at scheduled times throughout the day.
Diverse Universe Wall
Read the stories of trailblazing individuals who overcame barriers on their journeys into the world of science! This inspiring exhibit features images and descriptions of some of the lesser-known figures throughout history who have made vital contributions to the fields of astronomy, physics, chemistry, and more.
Planetary Hall
This space is reserved for exclusive events, such as donor/member gatherings, private parties, and more! The walls feature striking astrophotography prints and astronomy-inspired paintings.
Richard F. Caris Skylight Terrace
The Skylight Terrace offers guests a relaxing outdoor space with panoramic views of Flagstaff before they step into the Dark Sky Planetarium. High-top seating is available beneath a shaded structure, and on special occasions, a bar cart will be set up in the back right corner.
Richard F. Caris Dark Sky Planetarium
The Dark Sky Planetarium operates much like a traditional planetarium but with one key difference: instead of a dome, it showcases the breathtaking dark skies of Flagstaff. Located on the roof of the ADC, it provides visitors with an unobstructed view of the stars, all from the comfort of heated seats. Lowell educators lead live, interactive presentations that change with the seasons, incorporating familiar elements from the observatory’s laser-guided constellation tours along with custom audio-visual enhancements — creating a planetarium experience truly unlike any other in the world.