The new Kemper and Ethel Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff recently opened in November 2024. The center offers visitors an opportunity to journey into the universe through the lens of astronomy with interactive exhibits and experiences. Once the sun sets, journey up to the open-air rooftop planetarium to witness Flagstaff’s famous starry dark skies and look for Pluto discovered at Lowell almost a century ago.
Stargaze in Arizona’s Two Newest Dark Sky Communities
Marvel at breathtaking starry skies over Arizona’s two newly certified Dark Sky communities, Tubac and Bisbee. These Southern Arizona small towns earned the designation for their ongoing efforts to reduce light pollution, allowing for clearer skies where stargazers can spot constellations, shooting stars and planets. Tubac and Bisbee are also both known for their thriving art scenes, which visitors can explore during the day before enjoying twinkling stars at night. With these two new additions, Arizona now has 22 dark-sky communities, places and parks for visitors to explore.
Stargazer Domes Open At Grand Canyon West
Enjoy views of the galaxy while drifting to sleep when staying at the new stargazer domes at Grand Canyon Glamping Resort near Grand Canyon West. Thanks to stargazer domes’ floor-to-ceiling window walls and glass sky-lights over the beds, guests can watch a signature Arizona sunset transform into a star-speckled sky from the comfort of their room.
Arizona Science Center’s Dorrance Planetarium Gets Major Tech Upgrade
The reimagined Dorrance Planetarium at the Arizona Science Center in Phoenix will be the most technologically advanced planetarium in North America when it opens in spring 2025. The planetarium promises an increasingly immersive experience with its new 18-meter diameter CX System LED dome display and 100 times the brightness of most planetarium projection domes using Cosm’s CX System.
