Photo: Wikimedia Commons — see author and license on the file page.

Lowell Observatory

Art & landmarks
In Flagstaff, Arizona
0.7 mi from Route 66
National Register of Historic Places

Lowell Observatory sits on Mars Hill in Flagstaff, AZ, just off the old road. Founded in 1894 by astronomer Percival Lowell, it is one of the oldest observatories in the country and a National Historic Landmark. Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto here in 1930, and the 24-inch Clark telescope from 1896 is still used for public viewing. More than 150,000 people visit each year, making it one of Flagstaff's busiest stops.

What is Lowell Observatory?

Lowell is a working research observatory that also welcomes the public. Its best-known instrument is the Clark Refracting Telescope, a 24-inch refractor from 1896 that visitors can still look through. Scientists here study planets around other stars and minor planets in the solar system.

The observatory is run by a sole trustee, a role that has passed down through the founder's family. Guy Lowell, a third cousin of Percival, held it first, from 1916 to 1927, followed by several generations of Putnams. The trustee picks an executive director to run daily operations.

History of Lowell Observatory

Percival Lowell, from Boston's prominent Lowell family, founded the observatory in 1894. In 1930 an astronomer working here, Clyde Tombaugh, found Pluto, now classed as a dwarf planet. In 1963, during the lunar mapping that prepared for the Apollo missions, several astronauts came to Lowell, and many of them looked through the Clark Telescope. National Historic Landmark status followed in 1965, and in 2011 Time magazine put the observatory on its list of 100 places around the globe it considered most important.

Visiting Lowell Observatory: tips

The observatory is on West Mars Hill Road, only about 0.2 miles off the old road and a short drive from downtown. It is listed as wheelchair accessible, restrooms are close by, a cafe is about a tenth of a mile away, and there is an EV charger at the observatory itself. Plan at least two hours, and consider coming back after dark for telescope viewing.

The Weatherford Hotel, the Riordan Mansion and the Railroad Addition Historic District are each about a mile away.

Practical info

Address: 1400 West Mars Hill Road, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Phone: +1 928-774-3358
Website: lowell.edu
Hours: Mon, Wed–Sun 12 pm–10 pm
On site & nearby

Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · official site — may be outdated. Suggest a fix

On the map

Full map

Lowell Observatory with the 6 closest stops. Tap a marker for details.

Tap a dot to see that stop here.

Stops near Lowell Observatory

All of Arizona