Lowell Observatory’s vision for its education program is bold and simple: to be the premier public astronomy destination in the world. The observatory took a critical step toward achieving that goal on Saturday, June 26, by breaking ground on a 40,000-square-foot, $37.5-million discovery center. The … [Read more...] about Lowell Observatory Breaks Ground for World Destination
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Neighborhood Sets Example for Soft, Focused Light and Dark Starry Skies
Avid hiker Andrea Michaels has long enjoyed watching the Perseids meteor showers from the banks of Laurel Lake, a duck pond on the edge of Walnut Canyon Village in east Flagstaff. However, her view is even better now, she says, because community members have largely changed their outdoor light … [Read more...] about Neighborhood Sets Example for Soft, Focused Light and Dark Starry Skies
Lowell Observatory Presents May 26 Lunar Eclipse Live Stream
One of the most dramatic and easily viewed celestial events—a total lunar eclipse—occurs on May 26. This will be the first one since January 2019. While it will be visible only from western North America, western South America, eastern Asia, and Australia, Lowell Observatory will make it available … [Read more...] about Lowell Observatory Presents May 26 Lunar Eclipse Live Stream
Regional Residents Discuss Protecting Dark Skies
The value of the dark skies resource and what can be done to make sure the region’s exceptional dark skies aren’t diluted by light pollution were topics addressed by local leaders and national dark sky experts in two visioning sessions hosted by the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition (FDSC) via Zoom and … [Read more...] about Regional Residents Discuss Protecting Dark Skies
Lowell Observatory Presents 2NDAnnual I Heart Pluto Festival
Lowell Observatory is pleased to present a celebration 91 years in the making: the 2nd Annual I Heart Pluto Festival. Retired NASA astronauts Nicole Stott and Ron Garan and New Horizons scientists Dr. Alan Stern and Dr. Will Grundy headline the event. This free, all-virtual celebration runs from … [Read more...] about Lowell Observatory Presents 2NDAnnual I Heart Pluto Festival
Lowell Observatory Presents Great Conjunction Virtual Event
Jupiter and Saturn will appear closer to each other on December 21 than they have in nearly 400 years, and Lowell Observatory will be covering this great conjunction with a free interactive livestream program. Beginning at 5 p.m. MST/7 p.m. EST on the 21st, Lowell astronomers and … [Read more...] about Lowell Observatory Presents Great Conjunction Virtual Event
Lowell Scientists Help Characterize a Second Known Minimoon
Astronomers using data collected with the Lowell Discovery Telescope (LDT) have helped to characterize only the second known minimoon of Earth, a newly discovered asteroid with the designation 2020 CD3, or CD3 for short. The LDT observations helped to clarify both the rotation rate and the orbit of … [Read more...] about Lowell Scientists Help Characterize a Second Known Minimoon
Lowell Observatory: Illuminating Ideas About the Dark
Jeff Hall stepped outside around 9:30 p.m., after attending a talk in Los Angeles a few years ago. As one would expect of an astronomer and the director of Lowell Observatory, his eyes went to the heavens. “The faintest thing I could see were the three bright stars in Orion’s Belt. You could maybe … [Read more...] about Lowell Observatory: Illuminating Ideas About the Dark
Lowell Observatory Commences a Science-Based COVID-19 Reopening Plan in Alignment with CDC Guidelines
Employing a cautious and scientifically rigorous approach, Lowell Observatory is implementing a COVID-19 reopening plan that is aligned to the gating criteria established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The phased reopening plan’s alignment with CDC guidelines places staff, … [Read more...] about Lowell Observatory Commences a Science-Based COVID-19 Reopening Plan in Alignment with CDC Guidelines
Dark Skies on the Rise
Dark skies are on the rise, as travelers across the planet seek out places where they can get clear views of the stars. So say the travel experts at Lonely Planet who have named dark skies a continuing travel trend. As the world’s first International Dark Sky Community, Flagstaff and others in … [Read more...] about Dark Skies on the Rise
