Join us at the Carnegie Observatories campus for a fun-filled afternoon of learning about space.
Come meet our professional astronomers and learn about how we study the universe. Curious minds have questions about stars, planets, quasars, and black holes and we're here to answer them!
- ☀️ Look at the Sun through a solar telescope
- 👓 Experience our 3-D Visualization Lab
- 🍫 Toast a marshmallow using the Sun's rays
- ⚙️ Visit our machine shop to see how we make instruments for our telescopes
- 📚 Tour our beautiful Hale Library and see historic astronomical images taken on glass plates
- 🔭 Get the latest update on the Giant Magellan Telescope—one of the most-powerful next-generation telescopes
- 🎨 Make your own constellation and other fun children’s astro activities
Plus, free sweet treats for the whole family!
Note: Parking is extremely limited, please consider taking public transit. The Observatories is a 10 minute walk from the Lake Ave. Metro A Line (formerly Gold Line) station. There is ample free parking at the Sierra Madre Villa station. Rideshare services may also be a good option.
Visitors learn about our history in the Hale Library during the annual Observatories Open House.
Family poses on the redshift carpet at the Carnegie Observatories Open House
A young Open House attendee looks through a telescope
Young Open House attendees participate in an activity
Observatories VR
People crowd around the Ask an Astronomer table at the Observatories' open house