Lowell Observatory

This is one of our favorite places to go in Flagstaff. Nice staff, gorgeous views & giant telescopes open for your viewing pleasure! You cannot get better then that! We went for daytime lectures & returned for nighttime viewing, it was really informative & fun! Next time were bringing a picnic lunch & stay the whole day

In 1930 Clyde Tombaugh a young researcher working for Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona discovered Pluto which was later reclassified as a ‘dwarf planet’.
Today the Observatory is open for public viewing. If such history excites you then you MUST visit this place and marvel at the wonders of the cosmos.
The observatory is open from 10 a.m. — 10 p.m.The tickets are priced at $ 12 for adults and $ 6 for kids. There is plenty to do here especially for the kids there is solar viewing in the mornings followed by guided tours of pluto discovery telescope, Clark telescope and the Rotunda library.
We went during the evening which i would say is a better time for adults, the drive is very exciting and you can see the whole city from up top. They have a lot of multimedia shows exploring the constellations, stars, visible planets, and other celestial objects. They also have two smaller telescopes outside for viewing the stars and other constellations.
The sky up here looks so different, perfect for some star gazing even without any fancy instruments.
However the best part was the dome where we saw the Clark telescope in all its glory. You have to see it to believe it (something you would find in sci fi movies).We could see Jupiter through the telescope that night, which was pretty awesome.
They also have a gift shop where they sell t shirts and other starry merchandise.
Cheers!

Pluto was discovered here, need I say more?
Okay, if you insist. Lowell Observatory is located on a hill that offers incredible views of Flagstaff and the San Francisco Peaks. We took two tours and learned a lot about the discovery of Pluto and other important work that took place at the observatory. The tours were informative yet casual, allowing for plenty of questions and answers.
We also had the opportunity to look at the sun through a solar telescope, which was a first for me! Our guide mentioned that the observatory regularly hosts sky viewing events. I’ll definitely find my way back there next time I’m in northern Arizona!

Went to see this while in town to ride the Polar Express train. This is a great spot to check out and do some star gazing. I do recommend to do it on warmer nights as it sits atop a mountain and is freezing cold. We went on a Monday night and they had only 1 telescope working but have 3 on location from what I was told. It’s a small facility and is mainly maintained by the nearby college’s astronomy enthusiasts. They were friendly and knowledgeable.

It was great to see the sky through the various available telescopes. It was also excited that the night we went they had multiple talks occurring educating visitors on various aspects of our solar system. Definitely a great place to visit!

Alan and I were here 10 or 15 years ago. We took the tour and found it fascinating. In the years since they have built several new buildings and have expanded the museum. As we walked from the parking lot we were greeted by a sign saying, «You can observe a lot by just watching», LP Berra. Alan realized it was Yogi.
We started our Pluto tour this time in the building that used to house the museum. Our guide was very informative, as was our previous one. He led us up the walkway showing the planets in relation to one another, stopping to give information by each one. The tour ended at the building where Clyde Tombough photographed the night skies, ultimately discovering Pluto. We climbed the stairs to see the telescope/​camera he used. There was a second, Deep Space Tour we could have taken, but we lacked the energy. This place is worth hours and hours and sadly we didn’t have that. We did stop in the gift shop on the way out and Alan bought a t-​shirt that said, «When I was your age Pluto was a planet!». Very cool. We’ll have to return, sooner. I recommend it highly.

My date surprised me & drove me up to Flagstaff for the weekend during which went up to the Lowell Observatory to look at the stars! Unfortunately, it was too cloudy to see anything but we had a good time anyways.
They have an exhibit & show, along with a museum. It’s a very interactive experience; you can definitely unleash the kid inside you & have fun learning about things in our universe. The observatory itself is really cool too. There’s a huge telescope for stargazing. We found the staff to be really friendly in trying to explain everything.
So all-​in-​all, for that day, I’d give mother nature a 1 star review (for being cloudy) & Lowell Observatory a 4 star review!

We saw the moon through the the telescope which was kinda cool but I feel like I had seen the same picture online hundreds of times so it wasn’t life changing or anything. Still fun to check out though. Maybe next time they will show other planets. that would be stellar ;)

Flagstaff, A.Z.
Museum
The very first time I came here I was not impressed at all. It was so sad. The museum needed to be updated from 50 years ago so it seemed. Everything was outdated, broken, and just not exciting at all. THANKFULLY a few years later I went back, and everything was updated, and so freaking awesome! I got that feeling as if I was 5 years old wanting to run all over the museum, play with everything, and do it all over ten times in a row! It was the best update to a museum I’ve seen in a long time! Love love love how interactive everything is. The staff were happy, and willing to answer any questions now that they had an update to the museum. I look forward to taking my kids here once I have them because to see this place in person is … the best thing you can do for a child.
Observatory
The big room with the huge telescope is super cool, awesome, and wicked. You get to look at near by planets, and stars. When I went to the museum I saw Jupiter. I’ve never looked through a telescope of this magnitude before so to look at a Planet was the best thing I’ve ever seen. Just outside of the observatory they have a smaller telescope pointed at the moon. That is very awesome to see as well. I’m so happy they updated this place it needed it, and now they will continue to inspire people of all ages for many more years to come.

Just go to this place and have your inner little kid astronomer come out and enjoy this place. So much to do and see. Knowledgeable and friendly staff makes this place awesome.

The Lowell observatory is so incredibly close to the city of Flagstaff. I was amazed. They seem to have lots of programs, and as an observatory it is open late into the evening with programs (till ten when we were there). We heard a lecture about Pluto, learned to make a comet, saw Saturn, got to see the telescope /​camera that was used to first prove Pluto’s existence and more. We found it a wonderful evening and hope to make other visits when in Flagstaff

I’ve got nobody to thank but Matthew McConaughey for this!
Yes, I believe it was the catalyst of «Interstellar,» combined with my hub’s enjoyment of sci-​fi, and astronaut Scott Kelly currently in orbit and posting pics on IG that finally took me down the space chute. That IG one is fascinating — social media being used from the International Space Station (ISS) at 250 miles above the earth, to post real-​time photos by @stationcdrkelly …I’ll get back to that in a minute. (In all truth, I think it was my hub and the astronaut who really piqued my interest but I needed a big name headline!)
As for me — I know a lot about several things, a little about a lot of things and absolutely nothing about this! And, by «this,» I mean, «space, space exploration, space terminology» and so forth.
I like it. I like it that I’m the bozo here. I like that I ended up in Flag unexpectedly and that additional forces aligned: ouuta-​this-​world patties of meat*, drops of Jupiter and moons of blue. I like it that when I popped into Lowell’s gift shop — the store clerk looks at me like I’ve never taken a math class in my life.
I did learn that there is a lot going on up on this hill and it is year-​round. Daytime programs include: solar viewing (ow, my eyes, my eyes), Pluto Tour, Deep Space Tour, and other exhibits. Evening programs focus on the telescope use.
I like it that this center has further stimulated the desire that I have to learn about space discovery, travel and exploration and just what exactly is going on at this Lowell Observatory Campus. Pluto was discovered here? Excellent! When a place such as this ignites more questions in me than it answers, I’m OK with that when it happens, especially on a first visit. I have more questions like…
1.) How in the world did this whole thing initially come together in Flagstaff, AZ? and wow! these grounds are beautiful.
2.) How did Lowell KNOW that there had to be a ninth planet?*
3.) It seems like he was already calling it «Pluto» before he’d found it… was that the case?*
4.) I was surprised to come to the edge of a lovely vista and find… a mausoleum?! When did Lowell decide that he wanted his final resting place to be here in a space-​craft-​ish design?
5.) Why is there a bocce ball court on the grounds and are there balls to borrow? Are they planet-​sized? is this space bocce? (yes, kidding about the last two)
Maybe «all these questions» is what happens when you give your space-​blank-​canvas-​self the one hour tour. Although there are two telescopes «active» on site, both were closed last night due to cloud cover. I’m hoping that this is not going to be a trend. (Haha, not the weather, but the ‘scopes usage — I also heard that one is «down» for the year?) I did ask my question about the possibility of viewing the ISS as it travels overhead and the reply was, «I suppose you could.» I’m thinking that the ISS — being only 250 miles above earth would be IN YOUR FACE! Anyway, we are going to attempt to view it via amateur telescope this evening as it passes overhead
and given that Kelly is doing a year in space, we will have additional opportunities from several locations.
If all that doesn’t blow your mind enough… think about «New Horizons» now sending back photos of Pluto! That thing left earth in January 2005! It finally is upon its destination. I’ll be thinking of her the next time my flight seems like it’s taking forever.
We ended up doing the one-​year household membership which seems a bargain for a tax-​deductible $ 60. What was quite surprising — the list of «friends» where Lowell membership is reciprocated is staggering. Space bozo now has membership and will travel!
*Footnotes:
— with one click, I’ve already found the answers to questions 2 and 3! and quite the unexpected answers. I like that.
— if you want those «outta this world» patties of meat (and shakes!!) and a place out of the chaos of downtown Flag:
— oh and one last Lowell question: Why is that electrical cord coming out of the drainpipe?!

2^nd time here. Programs are more geared for adults than for kids. My 9 year old (and others his age) seemed bored on the Pluto tour. You can get in for free if you have an annual pass from an associated Science Center like the one in Phoenix.

I went to this observatory with good expectations. Observing the stars through the telescopes is cool… if you can actually get a turn at the telescope. You pay $ 12 to get in and then don’t get your chance to look at the stars! They really need to have employees that know how to handle people and crowds.
Update: we finally got our 45 seconds at the telescope (self imposed 45 seconds to be considerate of those in the long line behind us) and we looked at Saturn and our moon. Now THAT was really cool! I still maintain that the lines were mid-​managed but I did find out that one of their other telescopes was down (for the last year). Since Saturn and the Moon were VERY cool I am increasing my star rating to 3 (3 ½ if Unilocal allowed that).

This is a beautiful drive about half a mile from downtown. It’s a very neat place to experience if you have some time.
I was fortunate enough to be there the day the new image of Pluto was released.
There’s a lot to see. It’s worth the $ 12 entrance fee.

Came here for «Plutopalooza» and all my kids could see were a nebula and Saturn.
Highlight of this place is the dome building with amazing acoustics. FYI the guy with the 80’s hair behind the counter is not very friendly.
Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, CA is the real deal, this place is not.

An amazing museum and observatory with lectures and telescopes. The location is up above Flagstaff and affords wonderful views below. We came after sunset so got night views. The staff was friendly and cheerful and we got unbelievable views of Saturn and Jupiter. They weren’t just white blobs but the actual planets like you see in books. The lecture on the constellations was entertaining and informative.

Wow!!! So cool… informative and interesting.
We came late at night and weren’t even sure if they were open (but they were). The lights are kept so dim that it gives off a creepy closed vibe at night. You can barely make your way around. But there’s a reason for that… the telescopes! We saw Saturn, the Orion nebula (I asked about the Galaxy being on Orion’s belt… I’m lame and no one gets my references) and more.
The people working here were obviously very passionate about their field. So helpful even though it was freezing outside. I would love to work here or just come back to visit and learn more.
Outer Space is amazing, isn’t it? We are so irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. Microscopic dust on a grain of sand on an infinite beach. Or less.

I love this place. It is a very pleasant walk with good information. I loved it. Gorgeous place to be.
Very good for young kids to begin learning about space and discovery. I definitely recommend taking your children there.

We grabbed a groupon and headed to the Observatory in the evening. The majority of this is OUTSIDE so if you go in the winter, like we did, be sure to dress warm.
The small museum on the Hubble telescope was pretty informative. I thought it was laid out weird though, no clear direction as to what you should look at first, etc. My brother is taking an astronomy class at ASU right now so he found everything super interesting.
In another room there was a speaker who discussed a variety of things in very clear terms, so that no matter what background you came from you could understand. I thought his comments were very interesting and well worth the $ to visit. In fact, I would come back again with others just so I could hear his discussion on space again. I don’t think that children would like this observatory, simply because the majority is either lecture and/​or reading museum pieces. No interactive things at night.
Only one telescope was open and it was showing Uranus. Loss of a star because it really wasn’t that extraordinary, in my opinion. Yes, I could see a tiny blue dot, but so what? In all honesty, how am I to know if that was Uranus or a dot on the end of a lens. I know its not, I’m just saying it was anticlimactic.