space observatory tour

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The coolest star observatories you can visit in the united states.

T he United States is packed with astronomical observatories — located on high mountain tops or splayed across a desolate desert. Beyond their beautiful terrestrial settings, many of these observatories have fueled the most important astronomical discoveries of the last century.

The world’s largest on-land optical telescope is at the W. M. Keck Observatory atop Hawaii’s nearly 14,000-foot Mauna Kea peak. However, this US observatory is neither open to visitors nor easy to work into a continental road trip. Rather, this road trip begins in California — where the Big Bang Theory was developed — and takes you across several western states, where a dry climate and tall elevations provide the best observing conditions.

The road trip also includes a handful of eastern observatories. These can be part of your cross-country astro road trip, or you can split your travel into a western and eastern tour. However you choose to explore, these are the best US observatories you can visit on a trip across the country.

The best observatories in California

The best observatories in arizona, the best observatories in the southwest, the best observatories in the eastern us, lick observatory, mt hamilton, california.

Photo: Sundry Photography /Shutterstock

The Lick Observatory is located in the San Jose mountains on a site chosen by James Lick, a wealthy businessman who donated to educational causes throughout California. He’s buried under the telescope, which began operations in 1988, a year after his death. Shortly after that Jupiter’s moon Amalthea was discovered here.

Owned and operated by the University of California, one of the observatory’s missions is teaching the public about astronomy — so admission is free (donations are gladly accepted). The outdoor public areas and the Shane Telescope Visitors Gallery are open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The main visitor area is open weekends from noon to 5:00 PM. While there, catch one of the hourly free presentations offered inside the dome of the 36-inch Great Refractor.

Lick observatory : 7281 Mount Hamilton Rd., Mount Hamilton, CA 95140

Chabot Space & Science Center — Oakland, California

The Chabot Space & Science Center is a museum dedicated to space, which also houses three telescopes — so it’s the perfect place to learn about observatories to begin your road trip. You can look through its telescopes for free on clear Friday or Saturday nights between 7:30 and 10:30 PM. The most modern of these, the research-grade 36-inch telescope, offers tremendous night sky views. For its part, the eight-inch Alvan Clark refractor telescope dates to 1883, so it lets you look at the stars as astronomers did 140 years ago.

You can also take in the views of the San Francisco Bay and San Francisco beyond that. Inside the museum you can pilot a rover spacecraft and see an actual Russian Soyuz descent module. While the weekend night telescope viewing is free, the museum costs $24 for adults and $19 for youth and seniors. There’s also packed calendar of events that bring the community together to play and discover. It’s worth checking out the schedule and planning your trip accordingly if you are interested in having a more immersive experience.

Chabot Space & Science Center : 10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland, California 94619

Mount Wilson Observatory — Los Angeles, California

Photo: Kit Leong /Shutterstock

For over a century, the Mount Wilson Observatory , at 5,715 feet above sea level, was the world’s most significant observatory. Its first telescope, installed in 1908, was the world’s largest operational telescope. Later, world records were again broken with a 100-inch telescope, which Edwin Hubble began using in 1919. Discovering distant galaxies, combined with data from Arizona’s Lowell Telescope, Hubble was first to postulate the idea of an expanding universe.

The Observatory was also home to the first solar telescope (1905) and, more recently, its largest optical interferometer (2004). Unsurprisingly, one of closest institutions to Mount Wilson Observatory is the NASA-owned Jet Propulsion Laboratory, headquarters of Mars missions of the Perseverance and Curiosity rovers. From JPL it’s a short hop along Foothill Blvd. to Highway 2, which wends up 20 miles to the observatory.

You’ll emerge in cooler, pine-scented air, taking in sweeping views of Pasadena and downtown Los Angeles. You can visit a small Astronomical Museum and look at the famed 100-inch telescope from the Visitors’ Gallery daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. To see the telescope up close, reserve tickets for two-hour guided tours — offered weekends at 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM. Tickets are $15 for adults and $13 for seniors and kids 12 and under.

Mount Wilson also hosts some exciting events . From concerts, lectures, public telescope nights, there’s a lot going on here. If you are visiting on a Sunday, check in advance to see if there is a concert scheduled. They are produced by Cécilia Tsan, the observatory’s creative director, and are held under the magnificent vaulted dome of the 100-inch telescope.

Mount Wilson Observatory : Mount Wilson, Los Angeles, CA

Lowell Observatory — Flagstaff, Arizona

Photo: J.A. Dunbar /Shutterstock

The Lowell Observatory was as important as the Mount Wilson Observatory for Edwin Hubble. Here, Vesto Slipher noticed the redshift in light that indicated that galaxies were moving away from us. Hubble put Slipher’s data together with his own to arrive at his idea of an expanding universe — now known as the Big Bang Theory.

Established in 1894 and now a National Historic Landmark, the Lowell Observatory lies on Mars Hill overlooking Flagstaff, Arizona. At 6,900 feet, Flagstaff is much cooler and more wooded than other Arizonian cities. In fact, Olympic athletes train here to take advantage of the high altitude yet mostly mild weather. That said, bring warm clothing when you head up to the Observatory — which is at 7,800 feet and can have snow on the ground.

Tour the 24-inch Clark Refractor, with which Slipher made his momentous observations, the state-of-the-art 24-inch Dyer Telescope, and the telescope used to discover Pluto in 1930. Check the calendar for “Meet An Astronomer” nights, on certain Saturday nights between 7:00 and 10:00 PM. The observatory is open daily from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM (except Tuesday, when it closes at 5:00 PM). If the sky is clear, you can look up using one of the telescopes on the Giovale Open Deck Observatory.

The General Admission ticket accesses all of the above options, including stargazing, at a cost of $29 for adults, $19 for college students, and $17 for children (aged five to 17). Plan ahead with friends and you could book a private 75-minute viewing for up to 10 people with the Dyer Telescope, for $575. They also run astrophotography courses which cost $79 per person. The two-hour program accommodates a maximum of six guests and takes you through how to use a telescope and camera. You go home with digital copies of the two images you create. Visit the experiences page for more details.

Lowell Observatory : 1400 West Mars Hill Rd., Flagstaff AZ, 86001

Mount Graham International Observatory — Safford, Arizona

Perched atop Mount Graham at 10,400 feet above sea level, this US observatory is the highest one on your road trip, something to consider when visiting. The squarish white object atop the mountain top looks space-agey indeed — or like a bad guy’s lair in a James Bond film. Its construction less than 20 years ago was controversial, as the site is sacred to the San Carlos Apache tribe and environmental groups decried the impact on local red squirrels.

The observatory is operated by the astronomy department of the University of Arizona, which monitors the health of the red squirrel population , which is apparently still thriving. Of the three telescopes, the Large Binocular Telescope (BLT) has the largest single-piece mirror of any telescope, which has been used by astronomers from Italian, German, and US institutions to observe galaxies billions of light years away.

The Heinrich Hertz Submillimeter Telescope measures not visible light waves, but very short radio waves that it captures in its parabolic antenna. The third telescope is operated by the Vatican Observatory — which the Vatican itself calls one of the oldest astronomical research institutions in the world, dating back to 1582. (Tell that to Galileo, who was denounced for heresy in 1633.)

You can take weekend tours of the observatory from mid-May to mid-October, depending on the weather. The tours begin and end at Discovery Park in Safford, Arizona. The day starts at around 9:30 AM, ending at 4:30 PM. Lunch is included in the $40 per person price. Reserve your spot by calling (928) 428-6260 or emailing [email protected]. Your guide will inform you of the area’s human and natural history and then take you to visit each of the three telescopes.

Mount Graham International Observatory : ​​Eastern Arizona College, Discovery Park Campus, 1651 W. Discovery Park Blvd., Safford, AZ 85546

McDonald Observatory — McDonald Observatory, Texas

Photo: Jo Hunter /Shutterstock

The McDonald Observatory is located atop 6,800-foot-high Mt. Locke in West Texas, just north of Big Bend National Park. It holds five telescopes, the most significant of which is the Hobby-Eberly Telescope. With a mirror measuring 36 feet across, it’s one of the world’s largest optical telescopes and is dedicated to spectroscopy, which involves studying light to determine the composition and distance of distant objects.

You can visit the observatory Tuesday through Saturday from 12 to 5:00 PM. All visitors must check in at the Frank N Bash Visitor Center. General admission is $3. You can take self-guided tours and participate in a $5 solar viewing program, or join $10 guided tours. Also, check the website to see when you can join a Special Viewing Night using its research-grade 36-inch telescope. The price for that one is $100 per person, while viewing through its 82-inch telescope is $150 per person. It’s not cheap, but seeing Saturn and its rings clearly, for example, is a memory that will last a lifetime.

McDonald Observatory : ​​Frank N. Bash Visitors Center, 3640 Dark Sky Drive, McDonald Observatory, TX 79734

Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array — Socorro, New Mexico

Photo: William Cushman /Shutterstock

The Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array , or VLA, is a different type of astronomical observatory in two ways: instead of using our human eyes aided by a telescope to observe light waves in the visual spectrum, it uses satellite dishes to capture waves that we cannot see. In this case, it is capturing short radio waves. It’s named for Karl Jansky, who in 1933 discovered radio waves coming from distant stars in the Milky Way.

Moreover, the VLA doesn’t listen for radio waves with just one telescope but in fact twenty-seven of them, each one measuring 82 feet across. The telescopes cover a huge area, lined up in three 13-mile long arms emanating from the center. By looking at one object and working in unison, these radio telescopes in fact function like one huge telescope.

Currently, the VLA run guided tours for the public on the first and third Saturdays of the month at 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 2:00 PM. Advance purchase, timed-entry admission required so be sure to book in advance . Tickets cost $6 for adults, $5 for seniors.

Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array : Socorro, NM 87825

Leander McCormick Observatory — Charlottesville, Virginia

The Leander McCormick Observatory is named for the wealthy patron who was determined to have the world’s largest telescope housed in his home state of Virginia. The 26-inch telescope, which began observations in 1882, ended up being only the second-largest telescope by the time it was completed. At least the observatory built to house the telescope was the world’s tallest when it was finished in 1884.

Operating by the University of Virginia, the observatory made ground-breaking observations, such as that of Venus crossing the sun. Its measurements of distances to the hundreds of nearby stars shaped the earliest calculations about the size of our galaxy.

The UVA campus is widely considered one of the country’s loveliest , a worthy visit on its own merits. On either side of its central lawn are the tiny, bare-boned rooms that Thomas Jefferson designed as student accommodations. (One of them remains open as a historic model). Never mind that you have to walk outside to use the bathroom; these are the most coveted student accommodations. From this central lawn it’s just a 30-minute walk uphill to the most historic observatory in the South.

Leander McCormick Observatory : ​​600 McCormick Rd., Charlottesville, VA 22904

Green Bank National Radio Observatory — Green Bank, West Virginia

Photo: John M. Chase /Shutterstock

Just a couple of hours’ drive up into the forested mountains from Charlottesville lies one of the most unusual towns in the US: Green Bank. Like Arizona’s VLA, the Green Bank National Radio Observatory uses parabolic telescopes to “hear” radio waves. These telescopes are what we use, for example, in the search for intelligent life, or SETI — to which the Green Bank Observatory dedicates part of its telescope hours. The Byrd Green Bank Telescope (GBT) is the largest fully steerable radio telescope on Earth.

While radio observatories benefit from operating 24 hours a day, the radio signals coming from the edge of the universe emit less than a billionth of a billionth a watt. A mobile phone, on the other hand, can emit 10 watts. So that these ancient star signals not be engulfed by modern gadgets, the National Radio Quiet Zone was created. It’s a 13,000-square-mile area that prohibits cell phones, microwaves, and even FM radio.

Seven telescopes dot the fields surrounded by the gently sloped Appalachians. At 2,700 feet above sea level, Green Bank is pleasantly cool, even in mid-summer. You could try hiking around here, but remember that there’s no GPS or cell phone signal if you get lost. Green Bank brings together an unusual mix: the scientists and engineers who work at the observatory and the self-described “electro sensitives.” The latter group have come to the radio quiet zone to avoid electro-magnetic frequencies that they say make them unhealthy.

Pre-registered visitors can tour the Science Center daily between 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM for $5. Better yet, pay $10 and you can include a guided bus tour on your visit. From April they run SETI Tours, costing $40 they introduce you to Green Bank’s historic Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI), and let you inside the operation control room. Since you cannot rely on GPS to arrive at the observatory, please refer to their directions page (and maybe print out a copy) before you go.

Green Bank National Radio Observatory : 155 Observatory Rd., Green Bank, WV 24944

MIT Haystack Observatory — Westford, Massachusetts

Photo: Jerry Gantar /Shutterstock

Many prominent Northeastern universities operate observatories. MIT’s Haystack Observatory , an hour east of Boston , is one of the most interesting. It houses three radio telescopes tucked into the wooded surroundings. The first antenna you’ll notice is the massive Radio Antenna & Radome, a white geodesic dome completed in 1964 that measures 120 feet across.

​​The Millstone Hill Incoherent Scatter Radar, which looks like a giant tripod, is the most powerful Earth-based telescope to measure thermal plasma in our atmosphere, while the Westford Radio Telescope is used to better understand our own planet — its shape and location, among other measurements. The fourth telescope, Haystack VLBI Correlator, provides extremely precise measurements related to both our own planet and its distance to other astronomical objects.

If this is all confusing, then sign up now to participate in one of the Haystack Observatory’s twice yearly open houses — on the third Thursday in May and October. (They have been closed due to the pandemic, but stay tuned for updates). You’ll hear lectures on how radio telescopes can teach us about space. The Haystack grounds are free to explore Monday to Friday during 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, when the car gate is open. Seeing up close the unusual telescopes operated by one of the world’s most important scientific institutions is fascinating, even if you can’t go inside. Otherwise, Haystack suggests calling (617-715-5400) or emailing ([email protected]) with questions about visiting.

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Welcome to the Mt Lemmon SkyCenter Ticket Page!

SkyNights is a world-class after-dark program that provides unique access to the heavens from the top of Mount Lemmon.  Learn about the constellations, observe interesting atmospheric phenomena, and view the wonders of the cosmos from a high-quality astronomical site using the amazing 32-inch Schulman and/or the 24-inch Phillips Telescopes. This is a rare opportunity to view the universe in a way that most of humanity will never experience. SkyNight presentations are offered Wednesday - Sunday evenings as long as the weather allows!! 

Under the guidance of our professional educational staff, visitors will enjoy a brief astronomy lecture, a light dinner, and an exclusive opportunity to observe astronomical objects and phenomena.  This five-hour program starts 2 hours prior to sunset and accommodates up to 28 people.  Minimum age of 7 is required for our attendees. All attendees must adhere to the COVID safety policy outlined below.

View available tickets  here . 

We limit  ticket sales to 14-28 individuals per program and all guests must adhere to the COVID safety policy below.

• Pricing: $85 for Adults, $60 for Youth (7-17 yrs)  Rates are subject to change. Holiday rates may apply.
• * Limited seating is available so consider booking soon!

COVID safety policies for participation:

We recommend wearing a mask during our program, but it is not required.

We recommend wearing a mask when physical distancing is not possible.

We thank you for doing your part to support the health and well-being of our staff and visitors.

Tickets for StarGazing are on sale now through June 2024.

Cancellation policy: .

Small Groups (3 or less): 48 hours advance notice prior to your originally scheduled program date.  If less than 48 hours notice is provided, tickets are non-refundable and cannot be rescheduled. Large Groups (4 or more): 7 business days advance notice prior to your originally scheduled program date. If less than 7 business days' notice is provided, tickets are non-refundable and cannot be rescheduled. Please contact us by email or phone to initiate a refund or to reschedule. Should the SkyCenter cancel the program for any reason, you will be given a full refund.

Weather Contingency:

Cloudy nights happen. Some nights we are unable to proceed due to high winds, or the chance of storms.  Guest safety on the mountain is paramount.  If we determine there is a reasonable (50-50) chance to move ahead with a program, you will be contacted earlier in the day to discuss your evening's program. For nights we believe may be partially cloudy, you will be given a choice to go ahead and attend the program in the hope that it clears enough to view our beautiful universe, to reschedule, or receive a refund on your ticket. We strive to offer chance-for-clear experiences, especially for our many visitors from out of town, who do not have an opportunity to reschedule. Chance-for-clear presentations delight visitors with our unique mountain setting and captivating demonstrations. Typical activities include viewing the often spectacular sunset, touring professional observatories, and astronomical demonstrations.  If we need to cancel for weather or safety, you will receive a full refund.

SPECIAL NOTE FOR OUR GUESTS: W e recommend bringing a BIG COAT, SCARF, GLOVES, A HAT, and ALL WARM CLOTHING and layers to enjoy the program! Bring more than you think you need! This adventure is outside, after dark, and at the top of a 9,170-foot mountain. Temperatures are much different than in the valley of Tucson year-round. You will not be moving around enough to raise your body temperature.

Please plan accordingly.  Before you book, if you are traveling from out of town, please check the weather on our mountain to ensure that you are bringing enough heavy clothing for this experience. This applies all year round, including the Spring and Fall. 

The program is so much better if you are comfortable!

Late arrivals and early departures cannot be accommodated.  

No alcohol, vaping, or tobacco products are allowed on-site. 

Individuals needing disability-related accommodations should call the office at 520-626-8122. Please leave a message if you reach our voicemail. Note that no animals are allowed at the SkyCenter, other than trained service dogs.

For the fastest customer service, consider emailing us at [email protected] . 

Click here to purchase Stargazing tickets for our popular SkyNights Program!

The Mt Lemmon SkyCenter is proud to present our Virtual Star Parties!

Virtual Star Parties are available by request. Please email us at [email protected] for availability and more information!

This 90-minute tour will be provided via ZOOM with up to 6 log-ins for your group. We live stream images to your screen which is similar to what you would see in the eyepiece. In addition, we will share with your group the high-resolution, long-exposure color images of objects that have been created through the Schulman telescope. What makes this experience exceptional, beyond the views of star clusters, nebula, and galaxies invisible to the unaided eye is that you will have a private Zoom link through which you will have direct interaction with our observatory staff.

 Please call 520-626-8122 or email us at  [email protected]  for further questions or details.

Remote Astrophotography with the Schulman Telescope is available!

Please read the information below and then click here to view the calendar of available times, and make your reservation!

Astrophotographers around the world can now enjoy taking full remote control of the .8-meter (32-inch) Schulman Telescope at the Mount Lemmon SkyCenter to image astronomical targets of their choosing by taking direct control of the telescope through a web-based interface.  Remote use of the telescope is not the same as live "viewing" and is targeted toward individuals interested in acquiring high-resolution astronomical data that have experience using photo editing software with raw (FITS format) astronomical images.  Real-time imaging gives you feedback as to what is occurring at the observatory atop Mount Lemmon's 9,170 peak. You can see the raw images as they are acquired, watch the telescope and dome move, monitor the weather conditions, monitor guide stars, focus, and much more. It is like being there but sitting comfortably in your own home.

After placing your reservation using the link below, you will receive an email from the SkyCenter confirming your time and with a pdf file of instructions on using the Schulman telescope web interface. We recommend reading the instructional documentation in advance and planning your entire imaging run so that once you are logged onto the system, you can maximize your time acquiring astrophotographic data. 

Currently, we are offering a discounted base rate of $400 for a half night.  You can choose either 8:30 PM-Midnight, or 12:30 AM - 4 AM (all times MST).  We provide discounts for moon phase as follows: 26 - 50% illumination at 25% off; 51 - 75% illumination at 50% off; 76 - 100% illumination at 70% off.  These discounts are reflected in the ticket prices for each half night.  Prior to reserving time for remote use of the Schulman telescope,  please review our webpage on the system, including our policy on weather cancellations and refunds .

 For SkyNights StarGazing program, Virtual Star Parties, or Remote Astrophotography inquiries, please email [email protected]

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Look up into the night sky and see a million twinkling stars.

Stellar views.

Southern Arizona has some of the clearest skies in the U.S.—about 350 nights of viewing a year. Tour some of the world’s most-respected observatories and enjoy the same “good seeing” as the pros.

Learn why Southern Arizona is called an "astronomy capital of the world” in our featured article  Astrotourism is Looking Up .

Video: Kitt Peak

Welcome  Kitt Peak National Observatory  - home of the largest array of optical and radio telescopes in the world. In addition to conducting ground-breaking astronomical research, we are open to you through our Visitor Center programs. The Mayall 4-Meter telescope and dome are undergoing major maintenance and painting activities in 2016 summer. Binocular Stargazing may be for you if you cannot travel to Kitt Peak. 

Video: Flandrau Science Center

Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium  is undergoing a renovation of the planetarium theater that will transform the visitor experience. Since our state-of-the-art FullDome digital projection system debuted in 2014, thousands of visitors have been thrilled to fly through the solar system, visit planets, and discover the wonders of our world.  Buy Planetarium tickets online or in person (popular shows may sell out)! 

Mount Lemmon SkyCenter is part of the University of Arizona's Department of Astronomy and operates at the top of Mount Lemmon , one of the region's tallest and most visited mountains. The SkyCenter was first established in 1956 and was at the forefront of infrared astronomy. The observatory also participated in the survey of the Moon that took place in preparation for the Apollo lunar landings. Today visitors to the SkyCenter can live a day (or night) in the life of a professional astronomer by taking part in a variety of experiences and workshops that provide up-close and personal views of the cosmos through high-tech telescopes.

Gems & Minerals

More things to do.

• Researchers

VISIT THE OBSERVATORY

Look through both advanced and historic telescopes, see science demos, explore exhibits, and more.

Coming November 2024

The Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center

BECOME A MEMBER

Gain unlimited General Admission, get store discounts, and support our research and mission.

1400 West Mars Hill Rd

Flagstaff AZ, 86001

Upcoming Holidays

Plan Your Visit

See what fun adventures await during your visit.

Experiences

General Admission

General Admission gives you all-day access to 127 years of astronomical discovery at Lowell Observatory.

Premium Access

Designed for small groups of 10 individuals, these private personalized expeditions across the stars offer exclusive opportunities to view the cosmos.

Astrophotography Course

Take the first step in your astrophotography journey with an intensive course at Lowell Observatory! At the end of the course, you’ll take home digital copies of the two images and all of the raw data to use as you like, as well as additional resources to aid you in your astrophotography journey!

LDT Excursion

Learn the ins and outs of what it takes to maintain and operate a powerful 4.3-meter telescope, as well as how we use it to make groundbreaking discoveries about our universe. With a mirror larger than 14 feet across, this massive telescope itself is a sight to behold!

Attractions

24" Clark Refractor Telescope

Discover the universe with the same telescope that inspired Percival Lowell to search for life on Mars, revealed the expanding universe, and gave Apollo astronauts early views of the Moon.

Giovale Open Deck Observatory

In the shadows of where Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto, you can explore the cosmos for yourself with this collection of six advanced telescopes. Experience stargazing reimagined!

Pluto Discovery Telescope

See where the Pluto story began… Clyde Tombaugh used this ordinary instrument to make one of history’s most extraordinary discoveries–the planet Pluto in 1930.

24" Dyer Telescope

Lowell Observatory’s newest telescope offers state-of-the-art technology for out-of-this-world views of the cosmos.

Coming Soon: The Astronomy Discovery Center

From its rooftop observing plaza to the Curiosity Zone, the Kemper and Ethel Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center will be the place where curious visitors come to be awed by the cosmos.

Areas of Research

Solar System

Planetary scientists continue a long tradition of studying bodies in the solar system, including the Sun, planets, moons, comets, meteors, asteroids, and Kuiper belt objects.

Stellar Astrophysics

Another longstanding tradition at Lowell is the study of stars, from supermassive Wolf-Rayet stars to low-mass M-dwarf varieties.

Exoplanetary Systems

Lowell astronomers search for distant worlds around other stars and characterize their nature.

Galactic & Extragalactic Astronomy

V. M. Slipher’s observations of the redshifts of galaxies a century ago were the first evidence for the expansion of the universe. Research on structures of galaxies and of the universe continues at Lowell today.

Instrumentation Research & Development

Our instrumentation team carries out a variety of work in support of research instrumentation, outreach telescopes, and historic preservation projects.

• Discover More

Lowell Observatory is an independent, non-profit research institution founded in 1894 by mathematician and astronomer Percival Lowell. Today, our mission is to pursue the study of astronomy, conduct research, and bring astronomical education to the public.

On-Site Event

June 30 @ 10:00 am

Asteroid Day 2024

July 6 @ 8:00 pm

Meet An Astronomer

Off-Site Event

July 23 @ 10:00 am

Kids Squared

July 27 @ 8:00 pm

November 10 @ 11:00 am

Astronomy Discovery Center Member Preview

November 11 @ 11:00 am

November 12 @ 11:00 am

When you donate to Lowell, you join our mission to educate, inspire, and awe.

• Become a Member
• Ways to Give

Today's Forecast

Current Temperature

VISITOR NOTICE: The Observatory will close at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 4. The south-facing terraces of the building will close at 6:00 p.m. that day.

Explore the universe for free in the heart of Los Angeles!

Griffith Observatory is open today from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Sunday, June 30, 2024

Local Noon – 12:57 p.m.

Sunset – 8:10 p.m.

Fourth of July Advisory

The Observatory will close at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 4. The south-facing terraces of the building will close at 6:00 p.m. that day.

There will be NO fireworks or fireworks shows at or around Griffith Observatory. Personal fireworks pose a threat to our parks and wildlife and are illegal in the City of Los Angeles.

Extreme Moon: The Major Lunar Standstill of 2024-2025

Every 18.6 years, our Moon reaches the extremes of its orbit around the Earth. We observe this as the Moon rises and sets at its most northerly and southerly positions on the horizon.

Explore the Observatory

Samuel Oschin Planetarium

Travel to the farthest reaches of the universe and into the microscopic building blocks of life. Live presentations immerse you in the wonder and meaning of the cosmos.

People have always looked at the sky and wondered what is really out there. Our 60 exhibits make you an observer and show you what we know.

Griffith Park

The largest urban-wilderness municipal park in the United States, Griffith Park is filled with trails, trees, trains, attractions… and the Hollywood Sign!

Observing the Sky

Anyone can be an observer, and we are here to help. You may look through our free public telescopes or use our astronomical information to observe from your own backyard. Check out the weekly Sky Report to see what you can observe in Los Angeles.

Programs and Events

Daily Programs

Live shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, live Tesla Coil demonstrations, and your chance to observe with our public telescope observing are offered every day. Check the schedule!

Recurring Events

Virtual and in-person programs – including public star parties, All Space Considered , and the Sunset Walk-and-Talk – return each month as reliably as the phases of the Moon!

Special Events

Griffith Observatory reliably connects you to unusual sights in the sky, the changing seasons, visiting astronomers and their latest discoveries, and more.

Planning a Visit? We Can Help!

Located on the south slope of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park, the Observatory is literally in the center of metropolitan Los Angeles. While public transportation is the easiest way to visit, you may also walk, bike, drive, or take a shared-ride service up to the Observatory. There’s paid parking near the Observatory and free parking downhill. Be sure to plan your visit in advance, because roads and parking get busy.

Upcoming Events

July 13, 2024

Public Star Party – July 13, 2024

Once a month, the Observatory partners with local telescope groups to share their telescopes and knowledge with the public. With dozens of telescopes on the lawn, there's always something to see!

2:00 PM – 9:45 PM

Griffith Observatory

August 10, 2024

Public Star Party – August 10, 2024

September 14, 2024

Public Star Party – September 14, 2024

About the observatory.

Griffith Observatory is southern California’s gateway to the cosmos! Visitors may look through telescopes, explore exhibits, see live shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, and enjoy spectacular views of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign.

Griffith Observatory 2800 East Observatory Road Los Angeles, CA 90027 (213) 473-0800

Weekday (Tuesday - Friday) Hours Open 12:00 noon - 10:00 p.m.

Weekend (Saturday - Sunday) Hours Open 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Closed Monday

Observatory

The telescope that captured our imaginations.

After three decades and more than 1.6 million observations, the Hubble Space Telescope continues to expand our understanding of the universe.

The Hubble Space Telescope is the first astronomical observatory placed into orbit around Earth with the ability to record images in wavelengths of light spanning ultraviolet to near infrared. Launched on April 24, 1990 aboard the space shuttle Discovery, Hubble orbits roughly 320 miles (515 km) above Earth’s surface. It completes 15 orbits per day, circling Earth approximately once every 95 minutes. The observatory moves at a speed of about five miles (8 km) per second, fast enough to travel across the United States in about 10 minutes.

While Hubble orbits, its primary mirror collects light from objects near and far. Its nearly 8 foot (2.4 meter) primary mirror is smaller than those of many professional Earth-based observatories. What makes Hubble so powerful is its position above Earth’s atmosphere. That location offers Hubble a pristine view of the universe and allows it to see wavelengths that are blocked or partially filtered by the atmosphere. Hubble can resolve objects 1,000 times better than the human eye. That’s enough to see two fireflies separated by about 10 feet (3 meters) from roughly the distance between New York City and Tokyo (about 7,000 miles or 11,000 kilometers).

Hubble is the first space-based observatory specifically designed for servicing while in orbit.

Hubble’s precision optical design allows it to see objects 10 billion times fainter than the human eye – it can discern two fireflies 10 feet apart from 7,000 miles away. Its gyroscopes are so sensitive that it could shine a laser on the head of the president on a dime 200 miles away for 24 hours. Its fine guidance sensors are so precise that the telescope could shine a laser on a human hair one mile away for up to 24 hours while circling Earth at more than 17,000 miles per hour (27,000 kph). These are just a few of the unique design elements that gave us this groundbreaking observatory.

Why a Space Telescope

• Everyday Impact

The Science Behind the Discoveries

Observing the universe above Earth’s light-distorting atmosphere allows astronomers to see, discover, and better understand cosmic mysteries.

Hubble was designed as a general-purpose observatory, meant to explore the universe in visible, ultraviolet, and infrared wavelengths. To date, the telescope has made more than 1.6 million observations, collecting data and providing views astronomers were unable to capture from the ground.

Improving our Society

Hubble's mission is to capture observations of the universe, but its technology would alter life on the ground in unique and unexpected ways.

The Hubble Space Telescope was designed to be on the cutting edge of technology, a precisely designed instrument that would bring humanity new views of the cosmos through feats of engineering. As a result, a wealth of technological advances were born of both its creation and the periodic servicing missions that supplied it with new and powerful components.

How does Hubble make those discoveries and what are the scientific foundations for which its instruments are built.

Indulge your curiosity and dive into the fundamental science that is the foundation of Hubble’s observations. Discover how Hubble uses different wavelengths of light to reveal much more information than the human eye can see, then explore the individual components of that light as you learn about spectroscopy.

Mission Operations

The Space Telescope Operations Control Center at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland is the engine that keeps Hubble operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Keeping a precision instrument like Hubble in working order for more than 30 years as it circles Earth at 17,000 mph (27,000 kph) in the hostile environment of space is the responsibility of mission operations. This team of engineers, scientists, and operators is responsible for the day-to-day procedures that monitor the telescope’s health and safety. They relay commands that point the telescope to its target, monitor and adjust its systems, and solve hardware and software problems with the help of a high-fidelity simulator of Hubble and its operating environment here on Earth.

Updates on Hubble Milestones

Hubble Celebrates 33rd Anniversary With a Peek Into Nearby Star-Forming Region

Hubble Passes 1-Billion Second Mark

NASA Returns Hubble to Full Science Operations

Missions to hubble.

Hubble has more than doubled its original lifespan thanks to the 32 astronauts who deployed and serviced the observatory.

Deployed in 1990 and serviced five times between 1993 and 2009, Hubble’s productivity and longevity are the result of the astronauts who replaced limited-life items such as batteries, gyroscopes, solar cells, and electronic boxes. They also installed state-of-the-art cameras and science instruments that have given us pioneering discoveries and magnificent views of the universe.

Hubble vs. Webb: On The Shoulders of a Giant

Hubble and Webb work together to explore the cosmos. Their observations complement each other, providing us with a broad view of the universe.

Since its 1990 launch, the Hubble Space Telescope has given humanity a unique perspective of the universe. From its vantage point above Earth’s light-distorting atmosphere, Hubble offers us clear, detailed views that reach farther out in space and further back in time than any of its predecessors. 

Hubble Observatory

Explore More

Hubble Examines an Active Galaxy Near the Lion’s Heart

Pillars of Creation Star in New Visualization from NASA’s Hubble and Webb Telescopes

Hubble Captures Infant Stars Transforming a Nebula

Discover more nasa science missions.

Perseverance Rover

James Webb Space Telescope

Parker Solar Probe

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Hubble Examines an Active Galaxy Near the Lion’s Heart

NASA Prepares for Air Taxi Passenger Comfort Studies

Alphabet Soup: NASA’s GOLD Finds Surprising C, X Shapes in Atmosphere

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Goddard visitor center.

Welcome to your friendly neighborhood space flight center!

The visitor center showcases Goddard’s innovative and exciting work in Earth science, astrophysics, heliophysics, planetary science, engineering, communications and technology development. Activities, exhibits and events at the Goddard Visitor Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, provide inspiring and captivating educational experiences for all ages.

Only 30 minutes from Washington, D.C.; Baltimore; and Annapolis, Maryland, the visitor center gives you the opportunity to explore the universe in your own backyard.

Visits are free of charge. For more information on the Goddard Visitor Center, browse this website, call 301-286-8981 or email  [email protected] . You may also sign up for the visitor center’s events mailing list by emailing  [email protected] .

Hours of Operation

September through June Tuesday – Friday: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday, Sunday: noon – 4 p.m.

July through August Tuesday – Friday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, Sunday: noon – 4 p.m.

The visitor center is closed Mondays except for some federal holidays.

It is  open  on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day and Columbus Day from noon to 4 p.m.

It is  closed  on New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, Juneteenth, July Fourth, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Please note that visitor center hours are subject to change. If you have a question about holiday hours, please call 301-286-8981.

NOTE: If NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center is closed due to inclement weather, the visitor center will be closed as well .

Permanent Exhibits

Learn more about the permanent displays and exhibits at the NASA Goddard Visitor Center!

Learn More and Get Involved

Virtual Field Trips

Explore the Goddard Visitor Center's field trip experiences from your home or classroom.

Events and Programs

Model rockets, Ask A Scientist, and so much more!

Driving Directions

Where we're at and how to get here!

Field Trips and Facility Tours

Facility tours and in-person programs are available to school, community and cultural groups Tuesday through Friday with prior reservation.

Exhibits for Loan

Goddard exhibits and displays available for loan to school and community groups and other educational organizations, as well as Goddard employees.

The Goddard Visitor Center

Take a peek at what’s going on at the Goddard Visitor Center as we welcome guests to come in and explore!

Discover More Topics From NASA

Goddard Space Flight Center

Wallops Flight Facility Visitor Center

Goddard Media Resources and Guidelines

Goddard Center Leadership

Griffith Observatory Tour and Planetarium Ticket Option

See the real stars in la.

• When 2 PM Tuesday-Sunday, 5:30 PM Tuesday-Friday, 4:30 PM Saturday-Sunday
• Duration 90 minutes guided (not including planetarium show)
• Meeting Point The Astronomers Monument on the front lawn

$39 per adult €37 per adult £31 per adult C$54 per adult A$59 per adult

$29 per child, €28 per child, £23 per child, c$40 per child, a$44 per child, local experts, worry-free booking, $39 per adult, €37 per adult, £31 per adult, c$54 per adult, a$59 per adult.

• Meeting Point

• Get an insider’s look at this famous landmark on a guided tour designed by former Griffith Observatory employees.
• Hear the history of Griffith Park, a gift to the city from philanthropist Griffith J. Griffith.
• Explore 67,000 square feet of exhibits with an expert who’ll show you highlights you don’t want to miss.
• Learn about science, modern architecture, movie trivia, LA history, and much more.
• Enjoy panoramic views of the LA Basin and the Hollywood Sign from the top of Griffith Park
• Watch a show on the high-tech Zeiss Mark IX Planetarium Projector, if a ticket is purchased on-site.

What you'll do

Griffith Observatory is one of the most popular attractions in LA, but it can be hard to navigate once you’re here. This historic landmark features 67,000 square feet of exhibition space, a public observatory, and a planetarium. How can you experience it all without missing anything? We have the pros here to help!

This small-group tour, designed by some of the observatory’s former employees, will enhance your experience by taking you on a curated journey through space and time. We cover everything from science and history to architecture and movie trivia.

And don’t forget the opportunity to add a show in the world-famous planetarium theater, tickets available for purchase on-site. It’s a 40-minute immersive show with live narration that is truly out of this world. However, this interstellar option is only for ages 5 and older.

Ready to discover the wonders of Griffith Observatory? We can’t wait to show you the real stars of LA!

Griffith Observatory tour itinerary

Astronomers monument.

Honoring the world’s six most famous astronomers

Central Rotunda & Pendulum

With overhead murals inspired by Greek mythology

Including the Tesla Coil, Nikola Tesla’s 50,000-volt invention

Griffith Observatory Roof

Where you’ll learn about the Zeiss and solar telescopes inside the copper domes

Including the interactive periodic table of elements

Edge of Space

Feature some of the world’s most sophisticated astronomical instruments

Depths of Space

A view of the night sky as seen from the Samuel Oschin Telescope at Palomar Observatory

Albert Einstein statue

Photo op with one of the greatest minds in history

Scale Model of Planets

Where your weight changes as you travel through our solar system

Hollywood Sign

One of the best views of this LA icon

Ticket option: Samuel Oschin Planetarium

A show in an immersive theater with a high-tech star projector

Plan your trip

Planetarium tickets.

To see a planetarium show, you can buy tickets in person. Your guide will show you how. They’re $10 for adults and $6 for kids ages 5-12 (under 5 not allowed in the theater).

Accessibility

This tour is accessible for strollers and wheelchairs.

Tour ending point

This tour ends at Griffith Observatory.

Refund policy

We offer a 100% refund up to 24 hours before the start time.

Griffith Observatory tour reviews

I am so very glad we booked this tour. Oscar was incredible! So very knowledgeable and interesting. Well paced and informative too! Oscar was very passionate about the observatory, outer space, and planet Earth! Well worth the money!

Meeting point

Meet your ExperienceFirst guide in front of the Astronomers Monument outside Griffith Observatory. If you’re looking for tips on how to get here, check out our guide on getting to Griffith Observatory .

How much walking is there?

This tour covers less than a mile at a leisurely pace. If mobility is an issue, please choose our private tour .

Is this tour good for families?

Yes! It’s educational and interactive and intergalactic — all things kids love. If you decide to upgrade for the amazing planetarium show, please note that the show is only available for guests 5 and older. However, our tour is open to all ages.

What is the rescheduling policy?

We understand plans change. We offer a 100% refund or the option to reschedule up to 24 hours prior to your tour start time. Within 24 hours of your tour, we would have incurred hard costs and therefore cannot allow rescheduling or cancellation without costs.

When should I get there?

Plan to show up 15 minutes early. The tour starts promptly, and you may not be able to catch up if you arrive late. Give yourself plenty of extra time to find parking.

What if it rains?

Our tours run rain or shine. If there’s extreme weather and we have to cancel, you’ll get a full refund.

Is Parking Included?

No, it is not included. Parking is limited and costs $10 per hour in the meter so this can get pricey. We suggest using public transit or a rideshare app to get here. Please see our blog for tips on getting to Griffith Observatory .

Are gratuities included?

Tips aren’t included but are always appreciated by our guides. If you think your guide did an outstanding job, a tip is a great way to show that.

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Visiting Palomar Observatory

We will be doing solar observing at the Visitor Center on Saturday, June 29. Updated Fri 28 Jun 2024 7:07 am PDT

Group tour at the base of the 200-inch Hale Telescope. (Palomar/Caltech)

Palomar Observatory is owned and operated by Caltech , and as such it is private property. The Observatory is a popular destination in Southern California and receives tens of thousands of visitors a year from all over the world. Most come to see the famous 200-inch (5.1-meter) Hale Telescope —for decades the largest effective telescope in operation. Whether you are an astronomy, history, or engineering enthusiast, or simply curious about the Observatory, you will enjoy visiting our museum and taking one of our guided tours of the facility. All are welcome at the Palomar, but we ask that all visitors respect our rules and procedures.

Map of the Observatory showing the location of areas accessible to visitors. (Palomar/Caltech)

• Visiting hours
• Public areas
• Plan your visit
• Before you drive
• Driving directions
• On the Observatory grounds
• Information for mobility-impaired visitors
• Free audioguide

Visiting Hours

With some exceptions, Palomar Observatory is open to the public daily. These exceptions are for Thanksgiving (the fourth Thursday of November), December 24 through January 2, certain maintenance operations, and for possible weather emergencies. The Observatory is open from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm PT. Please be aware that the visitor gates will be closed promptly at the times indicated.

Particularly in the winter months, the Observatory is occasionally closed to the public due to severe weather and/or dangerous conditions. Whenever possible, this web page will be updated to reflect any closures. All visitors are encouraged to check this site and/or the information number before departing to Palomar.

Public Areas

The public areas of the Observatory consist of the A.W. Greenway Jr. Visitor Center and the Visitors Gallery inside the 200-inch Hale Telescope dome. The Visitor Center also features the Palomar Observatory Store (Please note: The store can accept only electronic payments—Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay—for tours and purchases. No cash transactions) which is open on weekends and most weekdays .

Plan Your Visit

Before you drive.

Snow-covered Hale Telescope dome. (Palomar/Caltech)

• Visitors should be aware that we may close the Observatory to the public due to weather or other unforeseen conditions without advance notice.
• The Observatory makes every effort to inform the public of the facility's current status. The environment of Palomar Mountain is, however, both dynamic and uncertain, sometimes resulting in dangerous road conditions. Due to the uncertainties of our mountain environment, road conditions and our complex operations supporting our research mission, we can not guarantee that information presented on our website or phone information system will be accurate at the time when visitors arrive at our facility.
• Please be aware that regional road and weather information supplied by state and other authorities may not reflect the specific conditions prevailing at the Observatory.
• Visitors are urged to pay close attention to signs indicating the Observatory's closure to visitors that may be posted at the S6 "summit" location approximately 4.2 miles south of the Observatory. Please see our driving directions page for directions and information on any possible road closures.
• There are no gas stations on Palomar Mountain. Check your fuel before driving to the Observatory.
• Visitors who plan on using our free audioguide should bring their own mobile device (e.g., smartphone or tablet) and ear/headphones.

Driving Directions

• Please visit our driving directions page for instructions and map.

On the Observatory Grounds

Paved path that leads from the parking lot to the Hale Telescope dome. To the right, the Visitor Center's access ramp. (Palomar/Caltech)

• Please note that the interior of the Hale Telescope dome is kept at nighttime temperatures for an elevation of 5,598 feet/1,702 meters. Dress accordingly.
• Please see our tours page for information about guided tours. We do not offer guided tours every day that the Observatory is open to the public. On most days, visitors are welcome to look around the designated public areas on their own, at their own pace.
• Cellphone reception, if any, is very limited on Palomar Mountain.
• Palomar Observatory is a research facility. Please respect the safety rules you will see posted on signs around the grounds. Help maintain the environment and the structures by not walking on the buildings or climbing in trees. When you visit, we request you stay on the designated walking paths.

Steps to the Visitors Gallery inside the Hale Telescope dome. (Palomar/Caltech)

Information For Mobility-Impaired Visitors

• The dome that houses the 200-inch Hale Telescope is at a moderate distance from the parking lot. There is a 1,050-foot (320-meter), slightly uphill, paved walking path that connects the parking lot with the dome.
• Access to the Visitors Gallery in the Hale Telescope dome requires climbing 70 steps. We welcome mobility-impaired visitors and support Hale access for such visitors at 10:45 am and 1:15 pm daily, resources and conditions permitting. Mobility-impaired visitors should check-in with the Gift Shop attendant (the Gift Shop is located in the Greenway Visitor Center ) to receive specific access instructions, and may discuss any special support needs. We regret that we cannot accommodate wheelchair access to the Hale Telescope dome at this time.
• The Observatory's Visitor Center , only 130 feet (40 meters) from the parking lot, is open whenever the Observatory is open and is wheelchair accessible.

Free Palomar Observatory Audioguide

Audioguide home. (Palomar/Caltech)

We have developed a free Palomar Observatory audioguide—a collection of media and information that explores individual topics about the Observatory—to accompany visitors during their self-guided tour. The audioguide is browser-based (i.e., no app to download) and can be accessed via ag.palomar.caltech.edu or QR codes posted throughout Observatory public spaces. We encourage visitors to bring their own smartphone, ear/headphones, and sufficient battery charge on their device for 30 – 60 minutes of use.

The audioguide provides visitors with supporting media (video, audio, and bilingual text/closed-captions) enhancing an Observatory visit. Other sections of the audioguide include “virtual visits” to many areas not public accessible, information on other visitor services like guided tours or public events, an interactive map, and relevant links to this website. While on site, audioguide users may connect to our free Wi-Fi through access points located in the Greenway Center and the Hale Telescope Visitors Gallery.

See reviews from recent Palomar visitors, or contribute a review of your own: TripAdvisor , Yelp .

Questions? We've answered many common visiting, media, and academic questions in our public FAQ page . Please share your feedback on this page at the COO Feedback portal. Visiting / v 1.0.15 Last updated: 25 September 2023 AFB/SBF/ACM

• For Educators
• For Scientists

Visit the Very Large Array

Announcements.

• The Gift Shop is currently open Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• - + Visit the Very Large Array
• - + Plan Your Visit
• Public Tours
• Reserved Group Tours
• How to Get Started
• - + Field Trip Guide
• Transportation Funding
• Weather and Walking
• Food Considerations
• Buses and Parking
• Do's and Don'ts
• Cancellation
• - + What You’ll See
• The Visitor Center
• Outdoor Walking Tour
• Configurations
• - + Do’s and Don’ts
• Electronic Device Policy
• Photography and Filming
• - + More to Do in the Area
• Bosque Del Apache Wildlife Preserve
• Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge
• Socorro, NM Plaza
• Village of Pie Town
• Village of Magdalena

The Very Large Array (VLA) Radio Telescope facility is a two-hour drive from Albuquerque, 50 miles west of Socorro, New Mexico. The Visitor Center features an award-winning documentary narrated by Jodie Foster, plus exhibits describing radio astronomy and the VLA telescope. A self-guided walking tour features large, informative signs and takes you to the base of one of the giant dish antennas. A gift shop offers VLA souvenirs and educational materials.

We encourage purchasing advanced admission due to limited connectivity at the site.

• The VLA is open to the public 7 days a week ONLY from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• No one is allowed on site after 4 p.m. without prior authorization.
• We are closed Thanksgiving Day (4th Thursday of Nov.), Christmas Day (Dec. 25), and New Year’s Eve Day (Dec. 31).
• The Gift Shop is currently open Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Food Options 

• There are no food options on-site at the VLA. Please bring adequate food and beverages for your visit.

Admission to site includes access to:

• Our Visitor Center including our documentary film and current exhibits
• Our outdoor self-guided walking tour (weather permitting)
• A VLA guided tour, delivered by a staff member (when available; see event calendar for guided tour dates)

Want to pay online?

* Please note : Beginning May 1, 2024, timed-entry will no longer be required so admission.  Your ticket is good for anytime between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Reserved Group Programs

For education and special interest groups of 10 or more individuals, we provide private guided tours and other programs when possible. Reserved program requests must be made at least three weeks in advance. To learn more about our programs visit our Reserved Programs page.

Call 575-835-7410 or email us at [email protected] .

The Very Large Array Radio Telescope is a two hour drive from Albuquerque, 50 miles west of Socorro, New Mexico.

When driving west from Socorro:

• Travel through the small town of Magdalena and continue on US-60 .
• Turn left onto NM-52 just west of mile marker 93 .
• Drive 2.5 miles then turn right on NM-166 (Old Highway 60) .
• Drive 1.6 miles and the VLA Visitor Center will be on your right .

When driving east from the Arizona border on US-60:

• Drive through the town of Datil. Just past mile marker 90 you will cross rail road tracks that mark the North arm of the array.
• Continue east on US-60 past mile marker 92 and turn right onto NM-52 .
• Drive 2.5 miles and then turn right on NM-166 (Old Highway 60) .

Note: NRAO has offices located in Socorro, NM, and entering “Very Large Array” into direction-finding services may sometimes direct you to this location. Use the Google map below to get directions to the VLA Visitor Center. GPS coordinates for the site: 34 04 24.636N 107 37 20.640W . Please note that you may not have cellular or data reception within several miles of the VLA. All roads leading to the VLA are paved. If you are on a dirt road you are not on the correct route.

Today’s Hours 8 AM – 12 AM

Sunset -:-- pm

An Elevated Experience

See forever.

Lean into breathtaking views through floor-to-forever glass on our unique Skyriser glass benches.

Glass Floor

The Loupe is the world’s first and only revolving glass floor. Experience thrilling views of the city below.

Seattle’s #1 rated experience, Chihuly Garden and Glass. Save up to 20% when you visit both attractions. *Savings vary by time of day.

Transport yourself into a new multiverse by stepping into our brand-new SpacePortal hologram experience.

Last ticket sold 45 min prior to closing. We are open year-round, but hours vary by season. Please review changes & closures ahead of time.

Discounts available for groups, schools, and special events. Prices vary by season & time of day. Call (206) 905-2100 for more info.

Base 2 Space

Seattle’s Most Iconic Climb is back on September 29! Conquer the Space Needle’s 832 open-air stairs to support Fred Hutch Cancer Center and the Space Needle Foundation.

Though it would be easy to brush this off as a tourist attraction, the views you get at the top really are worth it. Condé Naste Traveler

“La Família. The family is finally here. It took them six years but better late than never.” @Deanncruz

“...this has to be one of my favorite memories...” @staceyleigh313

Prepare for a safe and enjoyable launch for the best experience around.

Health & Safety

We’ve invested in the most effective, science-backed cleaning technologies and protocols.

Accessibility

Everyone is welcome, accommodations available for guests with disabilities.

Kids & Families

Kids love it. Make memories and capture photos that will last a lifetime.

To Inspire Wonder

The Space Needle was born out of ambition and dreams. Out of passion, risk, and the insatiable quest to show the world what comes next.

It reminds us of what ambitious human ingenuity and optimism can do, it also humbles us. Knute Berger, The Spirit of Seattle

Welcome to ViewSpace

Hero interactive.

Explore the Universe with Interactives and Videos

About ViewSpace

What is viewspace.

ViewSpace is a free, web-based collection of digital interactives and videos highlighting the latest developments in astronomy and Earth science.

ViewSpace gives you the opportunity to explore our planet, solar system, galaxy, and universe. Provided free with the support of NASA, ViewSpace is developed by a team of scientists, educators, and communication specialists who collaborate to ensure that content is accurate, up-to-date, engaging, relevant, and accessible to a wide audience.

Interactives

ViewSpace interactives allow you to explore objects and materials from different perspectives, discovering how we can combine information to better understand the universe.

Different forms of light: Explore visible and invisible wavelengths of light that help us understand features like the dusty brim of the Sombrero Galaxy roughly 30 million light-years away.

Hidden objects: Unveil invisible light to reveal hidden objects like the stars forming inside Mystic Mountain, a pillar of gas and dust 7,500 light-years from Earth.

ViewSpace videos tell the stories of the planets, stars, galaxies, and universe, giving viewers the opportunity to experience space and Earth as seen with satellites and telescopes.

Astronomy: Explore the sky with stories told through spectacular imagery from space telescopes.

Earth science: Gain new perspectives on our home planet based on data gathered by Earth-orbiting satellites.

ViewSpace is produced by the Office of Public Outreach at the Space Telescope Science Institute , in partnership with the NASA's Universe of Learning project and NASA's Earth Observing System, Hubble Space Telescope Project, and James Webb Space Telescope Project.

ViewSpace has been exhibited in museums, planetariums, and science centers across the country since 2000.

What Will You Explore?

The Latest Discoveries in Astronomy and Astrophysics

Recent Natural Events and Satellite Views of Earth

In-depth Stories of How Science and the Universe Work

Stunning Imagery and Accessible Explanations

Sample Images from ViewSpace

What objects and materials make up the universe, and how do we study the invisible as well as the visible?

Data from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope and Chandra X-Ray Observatory are used to create a map of dark matter (blue) in galaxy cluster MACS J0717.5+3745.

What are galaxies; how do they vary; and how do they form, interact, and change over time?

The Penguin and the Egg (Arp 142) is a pair of galaxies that are being distorted by their mutual gravitational attraction.

How do the Sun, planets, moons, comets, and asteroids interact as a system?

Saturn’s moon Titan casts a shadow as it passes between the planet and the Sun.

How do telescopes help us better understand the objects and materials that light up the sky?

With telescopes, we can see details of the Milky Way, including glowing clouds of dust and gas like the Lobster Nebula.

How fast is the universe expanding and what does this tell us about its past and future?

Over time, space expands, stretching the wavelenghts of light and causing the distant galaxies seen in the Ultra Deep Field image from the Hubble Space Telescope to look redder than the closer galaxies.

How do we detect and study planets orbiting other stars?

Changes in the brightness of starlight, measured by NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope, indicates the presence of a planet orbiting the star.

What happens to stars at the end of their lives, and how do stellar explosions affect the space around them?

Visible, infrared, and X-ray light from supernova remnant Cassiopeia A reveal remains of an exploded star.

How can we use interactions between light and matter to probe the deep universe?

The enormous mass of galaxy cluster Abell 370 bends the space around it, magnifying and distorting the light from more distant galaxies into arc-like streaks.

How are astronomers combining data from space and ground-based telescopes, particle detectors, and gravitational wave detectors to understand cosmic objects, processes, and events?

An artist’s illustration depicts the detection of neutrino particles and gamma rays emitted by a supermassive black hole at the center of a distant galaxy.

How and where do stars form, and how do they shape their surroundings?

Pillars of gas and dust in the Eagle Nebula are sculpted and illuminated by stellar winds and high-energy radiation of bright stars.

How can we use satellites to map, study, and monitor Earth’s land surface, oceans, and atmosphere?

An image captured by the Landsat 8 satellite in May 2018 shows active lava flows from Kilauea volcano in Hawaii.

What evidence supports our theories of how the universe formed and how it has evolved over time?

A map of the sky from the Planck Space Telescope highlights variations in the cosmic microwave background radiation—energy left over from the big bang some 13.8 billion years ago.

What tools and methods do scientists use to study Earth and space?

NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive satellite (SMAP) helps scientists monitor droughts, predict floods, and improve farm productivity.

Is Earth unique? Are we alone?

Observations from space telescopes have revealed thousands of exoplanets of different of sizes, compositions, temperatures, and atmospheres, including seven rocky Earth-sized planets of the TRAPPIST-1 system, 40 light-years from Earth (artist’s illustration).

Where Is ViewSpace?

ViewSpace videos are on exhibit at museums, science centers, and planetariums across the country.

ViewSpace interactives are available online.

Use the map to find a ViewSpace video location near you.

Location Spotlight

Worcester, Massachusetts

Westcave Preserve

Round Mountain, Texas

Lowell Observatory

Flagstaff, Arizona

Maryland Science Center

Baltimore, Maryland

Edelman Planetarium at Rowan University

Glassboro, New Jersey

Clark Planetarium

Salt Lake City, Utah

Becoming a ViewSpace Venue

ViewSpace provides informal learning sites with engaging, accurate, relevant, and up-to-date astronomy and Earth science content. Access to ViewSpace is free, requiring only registration, a computer or Smart TV, and persistent internet access. ViewSpace content is self-updating and videos can be set to play automatically, requiring minimal staff effort to maintain.

Join hundreds of others in featuring ViewSpace as part of your exhibits.

Who Produces and Supports ViewSpace?

ViewSpace is produced by the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, and is provided free of charge through financial support and subject matter expertise from the NASA’s Universe of Learning project, NASA’s Earth Observing System Project Science Office, NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope Project, and NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope Project.

Funded by NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, NASA’s Universe of Learning is an integrated astrophysics STEM learning and literacy project developed through a partnership between the Space Telescope Science Institute, Caltech/IPAC, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, and Sonoma State University.

NASA’s Earth Observing System (EOS) is a coordinated series of satellites designed to observe Earth’s land, atmosphere, oceans, and biosphere. As part of the Earth Science Division of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, the EOS Project Science Office (EOSPSO) is committed to sharing information with both researchers and the general public.

The Hubble Space Telescope and James Webb Space Telescope are two of NASA’s flagship missions designed to explore and advance our understanding of the universe. The missions’ communications programs are dedicated to sharing scientific advances and making the world’s astronomical information accessible to all.

Space Astronomy Tour

SPACE: founded in 2003, is the first company to offer astronomy tourism in San Pedro de Atacama. It has the largest park of telescopes for tourist use in the southern hemisphere, this, added to the incredible skies that the driest desert in the world offers us, make us a world leader in astronomical tourism. world leader in astronomical tourism.

We do this tour every night, except on full moon nights and cloudy nights. We travel to the observatory, 7 km from San Pedro de Atacama (15 min).

9:00 p.m. - Departure from your accommodation in San Pedro de Atacama

Guided observation with telescopes

11:00 p.m. - return to accommodation, general conditions.

• Valid rates for services at the indicated times.
• Services apply with a minimum of passengers at the time of booking.
• Rates per person subject to change.
• For security and operational reasons, the schedules may be modified without prior notice.
• In transfer service, it applies from all hotels in San Pedro de Atacama (does not include Ayllus in the suburbs)
• Excursions with bilingual guide Spanish and English.

Commercial Conditions

• Prices in United States Dollars (USD) are calculated from their value in Chilean Pesos (CLP) with the exchange rate of the day and may vary depending on the day the payment is made.

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Experts Appointment

A cosmic chameleon reveals its true colors in stunning infrared image (photo)

Infrared imaging offers a gorgeous view of a highly active stellar nursery.

A cosmic chameleon shows off its bright colors in a new infrared image from the European Southern Observatory (ESO). 

This glowing region of space, broadly known as the Chamaeleon Complex , is a vast stellar nursery about 65 light-years wide and located approximately 522 light-years from Earth. The Chamaeleon Cloud, formally known as IC 2631, is the brightest nebula in this highly active star-forming region and the focal point of ESO's new image. 

IC 2631 is classified as a reflection nebula , according to a statement from the ESO, meaning it is made of dust clouds that reflect light emitted from nearby stars. Its portrait was taken using ESO's Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy (VISTA) and released online on Monday (July 17).

Related: Strange Nebula Shapes, What Do You See?  

The nebula at the center of ESO's new image is primarily illuminated by a star called HD 97300, which is one of the youngest, most massive and brightest stars in its cosmic neighborhood. This star can be seen in the center-right of the field, surrounded by purple interstellar clouds. The bright areas of the photo represent interstellar gas and dust energized by young stars still in the process of forming.

— Nebulas glow with forming stars in stunning new image

— Cosmic serpent slithers through stellar nursery in stunning new image

— Hubble Space Telescope captures stunning red view of the Soul Nebula

"The cloud you see here is packed full of star-making material: Gas and dust," ESO officials wrote in the statement. "At optical wavelengths, this region contains dark patches where dust completely blocks light from background sources. But this image was captured in infrared light, which can pass through dust almost unimpeded, allowing scientists to peer into the core of this cloud." 

Despite its name, IC 2631 can be observed in the sky throughout most of the year in the southern hemisphere, according to the statement.  

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Samantha Mathewson joined Space.com as an intern in the summer of 2016. She received a B.A. in Journalism and Environmental Science at the University of New Haven, in Connecticut. Previously, her work has been published in Nature World News. When not writing or reading about science, Samantha enjoys traveling to new places and taking photos! You can follow her on Twitter @Sam_Ashley13. 

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Smithsonian Voices

From the Smithsonian Museums

SMITHSONIAN ASTROPHYSICAL OBSERVATORY

The Inside Story of How an Interstellar Jam Session Came to the Las Vegas Sphere

A new collaboration between the Smithsonian and Grateful Dead drummer and artistic legend, Grammy award winner Mickey Hart, explores this relationship in a new series of shows at the Las Vegas Sphere.

Dr. Kimberly Arcand

There is an inherent connection between music and space. There’s no rift between science and art, just a riff. They are two sides of the same coin, more alike than different.

A new collaboration between the Smithsonian and Grateful Dead drummer (who now tours with Dead and Company) and artistic legend, Grammy award winner Mickey Hart, explores this relationship in a new series of shows at the Las Vegas Sphere , which began in May and runs through mid-August 2024. This jam session includes a new player never heard from before in one of these shows: our universe itself.

The Dead and Company's shows feature data from the farthest reaches of space in the form of images of stars and galaxies, plus in another form that is a little less common: sound. The inspiration comes primarily from NASA 's Chandra X-ray observatory , which is operated by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory . From its perch in a high orbit above the Earth, Chandra looks at X-rays – the same form of light used at the dentist or doctor – coming from objects in space. 

I’ve been working with Chandra data since before the telescope was launched into orbit aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia on July 23, 1999. Chandra has always been different than what most people consider telescope do since it looks at X-rays instead of the kind of light humans can see with our eyes. (Astronomers refer to this ‘regular’ kind of light as ‘optical’ or ‘visible’ light.)

Astronomers need a telescope like Chandra because some of the biggest, brightest, and most exciting parts of the cosmos communicate only through X-ray light. Material swirling around the edge of a black hole or the debris field of an exploded star glows in X-rays, which Chandra can capture and send back to Earth for scientists to analyze.

While the Chandra spacecraft itself goes about a third of the way to the Moon in its orbit, the people who work for the telescope are on the ground. The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, which has its main campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was selected by NASA to run the telescope and operate the science functions for the mission. 

One of these functions is communicating the results from Chandra in a variety of ways – from press releases to virtual field trips. My role at Chandra is to come up with new ways to get these data out into the world through science driven storytelling. Our group does this through words, images, timelapse movies, virtual reality and, in recent years, sounds to help reach audience members who are blind or low vision.

Working with Dr. Matt Russo and Andrew Santaguida of System Sounds, a Canadian-based group, we investigated turning Chandra data into sounds. This process, known as data sonification, had been done before. Other scientists had translated cosmic data into sound for research, notably Dr. Wanda Diaz Merced an astronomer who has worked at SAO and who became blind as a young adult.

What started out as a project to help people who are blind or low vision enjoy the wonders of the cosmos soon turned out to be more widely appealing. The sonifications became hits on social and traditional media. Some of the sonifications – including one of Chandra data of a supermassive black hole in the Perseus Cluster – went viral, reaching billions of people over the course of a few weeks. 

The sonifications also caught the ear of Hart, who had experimented with other data-driven sound works before. He has also worked with the Smithsonian before on a project for Smithsonian Folkways called the " Endangered Music Project." I was able to chat with Hart after he heard about a talk I gave on the Chandra sonifications in Washington, DC, and we soon realized that we shared many of the same goals and interest in reaching wide audiences through sound and experiences.  Hart had previously worked with Nobel Prize-winning astrophysicist George Smoot to translate into music for human ears Smoot’s converted light wave traces from the Big Bang.

Hart and I continued our conversations about sonification, light and the Universe. Eventually, he invited me to work with him and his team for upcoming Dead and Co. performances at the Sphere in Las Vegas.  

What unfolded was a cosmic collaboration to incorporate celestial data ranging from intimate scenes of stellar birth to some of the largest and most distant vistas in the Universe where early black holes were forming.  

Hart and his team incorporated aspects of those data into the show, and notably during his “Drums and Space” segment of the performance, a tradition dating back to the Grateful Dead shows in the 1970s. Drums and Space is an approximate 20-minute-long improvisational free form celebration of percussion and rhythm played during the concert that now also includes data from space. 

As important as X-ray data from Chandra are, they are made even more powerful when combined with information from other telescopes. The different kinds of light can be thought of as ingredients in a great meal. If you are cooking, you need to use the right amounts in combination with the others to make something taste delicious.

Astronomy in some ways is similar. X-rays from Chandra can be added to infrared data (another form of light) from the James Webb Space Telescope or optical light (the kind humans see with our eyes) from the Hubble Space Telescope. Taken together, these blended data sets not only “taste” better but are more nutritious. 

This means that multi-wavelength astronomy – that is, when more than one kind of light is used – makes even more spectacular images and sonifications, it also gives scientists more information about the objects in space they are studying. 

The performances at the Sphere with Mickey Hart, the Dead and Company, and Chandra and other data of our universe celebrate this. Each night, they showcase different images from the cosmos, and weaving in sounds inspired by space. These multimedia, multiwavelength science and music performances present the beauty of our universe, how we learn about it, and how we process it as a human experience here on Earth.

These shows are, in my opinion, a reminder that science and art are not separate entities but different sides of the same coin. The collaboration with Hart and Dead and Company allows us to enjoy a feast for the eyes, ears, mind, and heart. By breaking down artificial barriers between disciplines, we can take people from the edge of their seats to the edge of the Universe and back again through data, music, and information. What a long, strange (and wonderful) trip it is.

Dr. Kimberly Arcand | READ MORE

Dr. Kimberly Arcand is a leading expert in astronomy visualization and an innovator in 3D imaging, printing, and extended reality applications with astrophysics data. She has worked for NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory since 1998. Her current research includes sonification of spatial data, machine learning as applied to image processing, and other intersections of emerging technology and high-energy astrophysics.