posted 05-08-2025 08:27 AM               

See the observatory's website for the Space & Spaces Tour and event happenings for people in the midwest.

Experience this reimagined and reawakened international landmark! This 1.5 hour tour involves astronomy, architecture, restoration, and human stories of the cosmic castle in the arboretum.

We visit the famous Great Refractor telescope in its 280,000 lb. dome. We make stops in the meticulously restored Hagenah Rotunda and Ann M. Drake Family Library. We go into the attic library and see 125 years worth of books plus astronomy equipment through the ages. We take a close look at Henry Ives Cobb’s architecture plus explore the dungeon, the crossing, and the Kuiper Sphere exhibit. Lots of breathtaking astrophotography and restoration to see. Lots of fun to be had. This is not a stuffy science tour though we certainly enjoy that, but you can know zero about astronomy and still totally love this tour.