Oct 28 2008
Lowell Observatory, founded by Percival Lowell in 1894, is a living piece of Arizona history. It’s located on top of Mars Hill about one mile from downtown Flagstaff, Arizona, the world’s first “International Dark-Sky City.” Even though Lowell Observatory is over 100 years old and has a rich history, it is still a working research institution today. And now, with its new Discovery Channel Telescope being built near Happy Jack, Arizona, set to see first light in 2010, this observatory looks forward to the years of research to come. Astronomy lives here--past, present and future.
Visitor Center
Lowell Observatory signs lead the way from Route 66 in downtown Flagstaff. Mars Hill Road winds upward, with glimpses of Route 66 and downtown Flagstaff laid out below, and ends at the Steele Visitor Center. There’s plenty of parking very close to the entrance.
Inside the visitor center, you will be able see multimedia shows in the auditorium and the new 3D digital space theatre, plus learn about the exploration of the universe in the exhibit hall. The gift shop has a nice selection of astronomy books and gift items. Map
Tours and Walks
The tours start from the visitor center. As you tour the grounds, you’ll see Percival Lowell’s mausoleum and go inside the Rotunda Library Museum to see the exhibits that bring to life Lowell Observatory’s past and the people who built it and made history using its telescopes. The highlight of the tour is the stop inside the main historic observatory to see the original Clark telescope through which Percival Lowell searched for the canals on Mars. The docent guides are very well-informed and have lots of interesting and sometimes funny stories to tell about the men and women who lived and worked on Mars Hill.
In addition to the guided tours, you are free to walk about the campus and enjoy the pines and the beautiful views of the mountains. Be sure to take the Pluto Walk up to the observatory where Pluto was discovered. The campus is also home to several other historical observatory buildings and modern spaces that are used for research today.
Evening Programs
When visiting in the evening, as you wait for the night sky, you can explore the interactive exhibit hall, watch the Space Theatre shows or the multi-media presentations in the auditorium. Of course, the main attraction at night is the telescope viewing after it gets dark. If the weather cooperates, you’ll be able to look through the same telescope that Percival Lowell used, as well as other smaller telescopes placed around the grounds. In addition, on some weekends, special lectures are presented by docents or guest speakers.
History in the Rotunda Library
In 1894, Mars was all the rage and Percival Lowell began to realize his dream of an observatory where he could study the red planet. The historical exhibits in the Rotunda Library Museum literally surround you. As you enter, the most prominent feature is a beautiful mural depicting Lowell and his observatory.
Here’s a glimpse of the history you’ll experience as you view the exhibits. See through the eyes of A. E. Douglass as he scouted the location that would be named Mars Hill. Read the telegram that Lowell dispatched to tell Douglass to go forward with the observatory in Flagstaff. View the pictorial record of the construction of the observatory that would house the 24-inch Alvan Clark telescope. See Percival Lowell using his telescope, while sitting on the viewing platform in a kitchen chair.
Next, join V.M. Slipher as he, from 1912-1914, collected the evidence that our universe is expanding. Imagine the cold nights of work, followed by the joy of discovery, as you “blink” the actual plates that Clyde Tombaugh, a young amateur astronomer from Kansas, used to discover the planet Pluto in early 1930. Then, see how the research at Lowell continued.
When You Visit
Daytime Hours: November - February, Noon - 5:00 p.m., March – October, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Evening Hours: September – May, (Monday/Wednesday/Friday/Saturday) 5:30 – 9:30 p.m., June – August, Monday – Saturday, 5:30 – 10:00 p.m.
Admission: $6.00 per adult. (See website for more details.) Separate admission for daytime and evening.
Tours: Hourly, from 10:15 – 4:15 (March-October) and 1:15 – 4:15 p.m. (November – February.) No reservations for these public tours.
Tips for Visitors
- Check website or call to find out about changes in hours, special events and days the observatory is closed.
- Children are welcome and should enjoy the tour, films, exhibits and especially the telescope viewing. It’s an excellent introduction to astronomy.
- Lowell guides suggest that you drink plenty of water and be aware that you might notice effects of the 7,200 ft. altitude.
- Be aware that weather may interrupt your visit.
- The campus has a no smoking policy.
Address: 1400 W. Mars Hill Road, Flagstaff, Arizona 86001
Telephone: 928-774-3358
Lowell Observatory Website
Article contributed by Guest Writer, Marilyn Crain
