Percival Lowell used the famous Clark Telescope to observe Venus and Mars / Photo: Raymond Dake Photography/Lowell Observatory
Best known for the discovery of Pluto, as well as for the detection of the first evidence of the expanding universe, Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona has been connecting people to the skies since its establishment in 1894.
Since the 1950s, Lowell Observatory has worked with Flagstaff City Council to preserve the dark skies of Flagstaff and northern Arizona, and in 2001, Flagstaff was designated the world’s first International Dark Sky City.
All of this makes Flagstaff something of a Mecca for stargazers. Now, with the opening of Lowell Observatory’s new $53m Kempel and Ethel Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center, it will become even more of a draw.
The 40,000sq ft facility is spread over three floors, and features a rooftop open-sky planetarium, an interactive children’s science museum and the ultramodern Lowell Universe Theater.
A sense of wonder “Every component of the ADC is built with the purpose of communicating the awesome and unexpected wonders of the universe,” says Dr Jeffrey Hall, executive director, Lowell Observatory.
“At Lowell Observatory, we believe in the power of education to transform lives. The Astronomy Discovery Center adds to Lowell’s mission to be an incredibly accessible and exciting place for people of all ages to discover the universe, and we hope it will ignite lifelong curiosity in everyone who comes through its doors.”
The 180-seat Lowell Universe Theater features a two-storey 160° curved 16K LED screen and a stage for interactive presentations from astrophysicists and other scientists. This will enable the centre to combine elements of a planetarium with live shows to bring astronomy alive for guests.
It’s the Dark Sky Planetarium that sets the ADC apart from most astronomy centres – instead of using an indoor planetarium with a dome, the centre uses Flagstaff’s dark skies as a natural planetarium. Visitors sit in heated, slanted seats and look up at the night sky, while Lowell educators talk them through the stars, planets and constellations in live presentations.
The centre features three main galleries: the Origins Gallery, featuring a dramatic suspended centrepiece exploring the evolution of the universe; the Astronomy Gallery – Stardust Lab, with interactive exhibits for adults and older children, and the Orbits Curiosity Zone, which aims to bring astronomy to life for younger children with interactive displays and exhibits.
“The Astronomy Discovery Center embodies the spirit of exploration and discovery that has been at the heart of Lowell Observatory for more than a century,” says Lowell Observatory’s COO, Dr Amanda Bosh. “This centre will inspire awe and curiosity in visitors of all ages.”
“This new facility will be a gateway to critical thinking through study of the cosmos with the goal of increasing scientific literacy,” says Dr Stephen Levine, director of education at Lowell Observatory. “By engaging visitors in hands-on activities and immersive presentations, we aim to ignite a lifelong passion for science and exploration.”
The design team
The ADC design team was led by Lowell Observatory staff members Samantha Gorney, deputy director for education, and David Sawyer, technical project manager.
Interpretive planning & design partner: Kei Space Design
Architecture: JWA Architects
Construction management: BEC Southwest
Executive director Dr Jeffery Hall; COO Dr Armand Bosh; and director of education Dr Stephen Levine / Image: Lowell Observatory
• LOWELL UNIVERSE THEATER
180-seats, 16K, 160° curved LED screen, stage for
interactive presentations
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Percival Lowell used the famous Clark Telescope to observe Venus and Mars / Photo: Raymond Dake Photography/Lowell Observatory
Best known for the discovery of Pluto, as well as for the detection of the first evidence of the expanding universe, Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona has been connecting people to the skies since its establishment in 1894.
Since the 1950s, Lowell Observatory has worked with Flagstaff City Council to preserve the dark skies of Flagstaff and northern Arizona, and in 2001, Flagstaff was designated the world’s first International Dark Sky City.
All of this makes Flagstaff something of a Mecca for stargazers. Now, with the opening of Lowell Observatory’s new $53m Kempel and Ethel Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center, it will become even more of a draw.
The 40,000sq ft facility is spread over three floors, and features a rooftop open-sky planetarium, an interactive children’s science museum and the ultramodern Lowell Universe Theater.
A sense of wonder “Every component of the ADC is built with the purpose of communicating the awesome and unexpected wonders of the universe,” says Dr Jeffrey Hall, executive director, Lowell Observatory.
“At Lowell Observatory, we believe in the power of education to transform lives. The Astronomy Discovery Center adds to Lowell’s mission to be an incredibly accessible and exciting place for people of all ages to discover the universe, and we hope it will ignite lifelong curiosity in everyone who comes through its doors.”
The 180-seat Lowell Universe Theater features a two-storey 160° curved 16K LED screen and a stage for interactive presentations from astrophysicists and other scientists. This will enable the centre to combine elements of a planetarium with live shows to bring astronomy alive for guests.
It’s the Dark Sky Planetarium that sets the ADC apart from most astronomy centres – instead of using an indoor planetarium with a dome, the centre uses Flagstaff’s dark skies as a natural planetarium. Visitors sit in heated, slanted seats and look up at the night sky, while Lowell educators talk them through the stars, planets and constellations in live presentations.
The centre features three main galleries: the Origins Gallery, featuring a dramatic suspended centrepiece exploring the evolution of the universe; the Astronomy Gallery – Stardust Lab, with interactive exhibits for adults and older children, and the Orbits Curiosity Zone, which aims to bring astronomy to life for younger children with interactive displays and exhibits.
“The Astronomy Discovery Center embodies the spirit of exploration and discovery that has been at the heart of Lowell Observatory for more than a century,” says Lowell Observatory’s COO, Dr Amanda Bosh. “This centre will inspire awe and curiosity in visitors of all ages.”
“This new facility will be a gateway to critical thinking through study of the cosmos with the goal of increasing scientific literacy,” says Dr Stephen Levine, director of education at Lowell Observatory. “By engaging visitors in hands-on activities and immersive presentations, we aim to ignite a lifelong passion for science and exploration.”
The design team
The ADC design team was led by Lowell Observatory staff members Samantha Gorney, deputy director for education, and David Sawyer, technical project manager.
Interpretive planning & design partner: Kei Space Design
Architecture: JWA Architects
Construction management: BEC Southwest
Executive director Dr Jeffery Hall; COO Dr Armand Bosh; and director of education Dr Stephen Levine / Image: Lowell Observatory
• LOWELL UNIVERSE THEATER
180-seats, 16K, 160° curved LED screen, stage for
interactive presentations
People: Jess French
The children’s author sees her fantastical creations brought to life at Chester Zoo
Interview: Peter Slavenburg
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Talking point: A helping hand
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Planetarium: Looking up
Bringing people together under the dark skies of Arizona, Lowell Observatory’s new Astronomy Discovery Center is truly unique
Waterpark: Desert Oasis: Qiddiya Aquarabia
The largest waterpark in the Middle East is set to open in Saudi Arabia in 2026, and it’s going to be huge. We speak to the team behind this epic development
Museums: Nintendo Museum: Play on
Giant controllers, consoles operated by visitors’ shadows and a game based on Japanese poems... The Nintendo Museum opens in Kyoto
Technology: Kyle Morrand: The power of play
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Interview: Dominic Jones
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