Arizona's night sky: Get the best views at these 11 dark places
Arizona is a hub for space exploration and stargazing, offering a variety of places for those curious about the cosmos.
From the Dorrance Planetarium at the Arizona Science Center in Phoenix, where you can enjoy immersive shows and live astronomy presentations, to the Flandrau Science Center in Tucson, offering 360-degree views of space, you've got in-town options.
Or take a road trip and visit Kitt Peak National Observatory near Tucson for a glimpse through world-class telescopes, or head to Mount Lemmon SkyCenter for an unforgettable stargazing experience. If you're in Flagstaff, explore the Lowell Observatory, where Pluto was discovered, and its brand new Astronomy Discovery Center.
Here are some of the top planetariums and observatories Arizona has to offer.
Arizona's dark-sky places: Best locations to see meteors, stars, planets and the Milky Way
The Dorrance Planetarium at the Arizona Science Center in Phoenix is one of the most technologically advanced planetariums in the Southwest.
It features a 60-foot dome with state-of-the-art projection technology, allowing visitors to experience breathtaking, high-resolution visuals of space exploration, black holes and the solar system. The planetarium offers immersive shows covering deep space, planetary science and cosmic phenomena, along with live astronomy presentations where experts guide audiences through the night sky.
Beyond the planetarium, the Arizona Science Center has interactive science exhibits for space enthusiasts and curious minds of all ages.
Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays. Closed on Mondays. 600 E. Washington St., Phoenix. $16.95-$29.95. azscience.org
The Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium at the University of Arizona in Tucson offers an immersive space experience with full-dome shows and interactive science exhibits.
The planetarium features a 360-degree digital projection system, allowing visitors to explore the cosmos with shows about black holes, the solar system and deep space phenomena. The center also offers live star talks, where astronomers guide guests through the current night sky, pointing out constellations and celestial events.
Flandrau also has hands-on exhibits covering marine biology, geology and mathematics.
Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays. Closed on Mondays. Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium, 1601 E. University Blvd., Tucson. $14. flandrau.org.
The ASU Planetarium at Arizona State University's School of Earth and Space Exploration in Tempe offers a high-tech, immersive experience for visitors interested in astronomy and planetary science.
Equipped with a state-of-the-art digital projection system, the planetarium showcases full-dome presentations on topics like exoplanets, black holes and space exploration. The center hosts public shows, live star talks and educational events, often led by ASU researchers and astronomers.
Visitors can also explore interactive exhibits that highlight cutting-edge space missions and scientific discoveries made by ASU scientists.
Details: See the event calendar online. 550 E. Tyler Mall, Tempe. $8. sese.asu.edu.
Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff is one of the most renowned astronomical institutions in the world, famous for the discovery of Pluto in 1930.
Visitors can explore the Open Deck Observatory, which features a collection of advanced telescopes for public stargazing. The Rotunda Museum and Putnam Collection Center showcase historic artifacts, including Percival Lowell's original telescope.
Guided tours take guests through the Clark Telescope Dome, where astronomers once mapped Mars. Live science talks, hands-on exhibits and breathtaking views of the night sky are available for all visitors.
Details: Noon-10 p.m. Wednesdays-Mondays; closed on Tuesdays. Lowell Observatory, 1400 W. Mars Hill Road, Flagstaff. $20-$35, discounts for local residents and Arizona Native Americans. lowell.edu.
Right next door to Lowell Observatory is the 40,000-square-foot Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center, opened in late 2024.
It has interactive exhibits, the Lowell Universe Theater with a 25-foot LED screen, a rooftop observatory with heated seats and education about ongoing astronomical research. Visitors can also enjoy the Starry Skies Shop and Planet X Cafe.
Details: Noon-10 p.m. Wednesdays-Mondays; closed on Tuesdays. 1400 W. Mars Hill Road, Flagstaff. $20-$35, discounts for local residents and Arizona Native Americans. lowell.edu.
The Gilbert Rotary Centennial Observatory offers stargazing experiences for visitors of all ages. Operated by the East Valley Astronomy Club, it features a 16-inch Meade LX200 telescope through which guests can observe planets, nebulae, star clusters and galaxies.
Open on Friday and Saturday nights, the observatory hosts public viewing sessions where volunteers provide guided telescope tours and answer questions about the cosmos. Special observations include meteor showers, lunar eclipses, and planetary alignments.
Nestled within a 110-acre nature preserve, the observatory provides a peaceful and educational atmosphere, perfect for beginners and seasoned stargazers alike.
Details: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Closed Sundays-Thursdays. Gilbert Riparian Observatory, 2757 E. Guadalupe Road. Free; donations accepted. grcoonline.org.
Located southwest of Tucson on the Tohono O'odham Nation, Kitt Peak National Observatory is home to one of the world's largest collections of optical and radio telescopes. Sitting at 6,880 feet, it offers breathtaking views and an unparalleled stargazing experience.
Visitors can explore its historic telescopes, take guided tours and participate in nighttime observing programs where they can view deep-sky objects through powerful telescopes. The visitor center features interactive exhibits on astronomy and dark sky conservation, and solar viewing sessions provide guests with a safe opportunity to observe the sun.
Details: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Kitt Peak National Observatory, off State Route 86 southwest of Tucson. $17.95. kpno.noirlab.edu.
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The Mount Lemmon SkyCenter Observatory, at 9,157 feet in the Santa Catalina Mountains near Tucson, offers some of the clearest and darkest skies in the region.
Operated by the University of Arizona, it is home to Arizona's largest public telescopes and provides stargazing experiences. Visitors can participate in the SkyNights program, which includes an expert-led tour, a chance to observe celestial objects through the 32-inch Schulman Telescope, and astrophotography opportunities.
The observatory also offers daytime tours, during which guests can learn about research on exoplanets and asteroids.
Details: 9800 E. Ski Run Road, Mount Lemmon. Tour prices vary. skycenter.arizona.edu.
The Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab, beneath the University of Arizona's football stadium in Tucson, is a world-renowned facility where some of the largest and most advanced telescope mirrors are crafted.
Visitors can take a guided tour to see the cutting-edge process of mirror-making, from melting and shaping glass in a giant rotating furnace to polishing and testing for extreme precision.
These mirrors are used in major observatories worldwide, including the Giant Magellan Telescope in Chile's Atacama Desert.
Details: 1-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. Closed on Saturday and Sunday. 527 N. National Championship Drive, Tucson. $25. mirrorlab.arizona.edu.
The Mount Graham International Observatory sits at 10,470 feet in southeastern Arizona's Pinaleño Mountains and is operated by the University of Arizona.
It houses a Large Binocular Telescope — one of the most advanced optical telescopes — as well as the Submillimeter Telescope and the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope.
Visitors can take guided tours to explore the cutting-edge facilities and learn about research on exoplanets, galaxies and deep-space phenomena. The tours are offered from mid-May through October, weather permitting.
Details: Discovery Park Campus visitor center, 1651 W. Discovery Park Blvd., Safford. Tours cost $75. mgio.arizona.edu.
Fountain Hills, a Dark Sky Community since 2018, is building a $25 million International Dark Sky Discovery Center with an expected opening in fall 2025.
This 23,000-square-foot facility will feature the largest telescope in metro Phoenix, a Hyperspace Planetarium, an Inspiration Theater, an Immersion Zone exhibit hall and an Einstein Exploration Station. The center aims to provide STEM education, support astronomical research and promote dark sky conservation.
Fountain Hills earned its dark-sky status by reducing light pollution and fostering stargazing-friendly conditions.
Details: Opening fall 2025. 13001 N. La Montana Drive, Fountain Hills. darkskycenter.org.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Stargazing in Arizona: Best planetariums and observatories
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