GO IN-DEPTH
Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, is a National Historic Landmark where Pluto was discovered and where astronomy history continues to unfold. Recognized by Time magazine as one of the “World’s Greatest Places” and by Newsweek as one of the “Best Science Museums in the U.S.,” Lowell blends a century of heritage with cutting-edge science, just an hour south of the Grand Canyon’s famous South Rim Visitor’s Center.
Groups can explore the cosmos with the Home of Pluto package, an exclusive experience that includes early access to the observatory, guided solar viewing, a private astronomy program, and a behind-the-scenes tour of where Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto in 1930. Designed with group travel in mind, this package is available for up to 30 guests at a flat rate of $800, and also includes two complimentary tickets for bus drivers or tour operators. To book, email tours@lowell.edu.
GAZE UPWARD
The Lowell Universe Theater offers groups a state-of-the-art immersive experience with a two-story, 160-degree wraparound LED screen that combines the feel of a planetarium with the energy of live performance. Seating up to 180 guests, the theater hosts interactive programs led by Lowell’s educators and actors, transporting audiences from ancient meteor impacts on Earth to the distant worlds of Mars and Pluto. Scheduled showings also include recorded films, such as “This is Lowell,” featuring astronomer Dr. Tyler Richey-Yowell, making the theater a dynamic blend of storytelling, science, and spectacle. Your group will start their tour in this theater with the Home of Pluto package.
The Dark Sky Planetarium crowns the Astronomy Discovery Center with 360-degree, above-the-treetops views of Flagstaff’s skies. Groups booking the Home of Pluto package enjoy private access here for solar viewing, using specialized telescopes to safely observe sunspots and solar flares in vivid detail. Educators guide the experience, weaving stories of our dynamic sun while guests take in the panoramic setting that makes the Dark Sky Planetarium a one-of-a-kind venue for both science and scenery. In the evenings, it becomes an open-air theater, offering guided shows and unobstructed views of the night sky in the world’s first Dark Sky City.
LEARN THE HISTORY
Groups can step back in time with a visit to the Pluto Discovery Dome, the very building where Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto in 1930. Inside, guests can view the historic 13-inch Lawrence Lowell Telescope, originally built to search for Percival Lowell’s predicted “Planet X” and later used to make one of the most famous discoveries in astronomy. Educators are on hand to answer questions and share stories about Pluto’s place in the solar system, offering a rare chance to experience history where it happened. The Pluto Dome itself is just steps away from the Open Deck Observatory, where six advanced telescopes await for pristine nighttime viewing.
The Clark Refractor is one of the most storied telescopes in the world, representing a unique piece of scientific, cultural, and American history. Built in 1896, it was famously used by Percival Lowell in his studies of Mars and later became essential to NASA’s Apollo program, helping create detailed lunar maps and training astronauts who would walk on the moon. Over the decades, the Clark has also inspired the public’s fascination with space, featured in programs and outreach efforts led by figures such as Walt Disney, Carl Sagan, and Bill Nye the Science Guy. Today, visitors can still look through the same eyepiece used by these pioneers, connecting directly with over a century of discovery.
Lowell Observatory
928-774-3358
lowell.edu
Lead image:
Dyer Telescope
Photo courtesy of Lowell Observatory
