The College of Southern Idaho's Centennial Observatory

The Centennial Observatory

Centennial Observatory Logo

The observatory features one of the world's largest fully wheelchair-accessible public telescopes.  The main instrument is the Norman Herrett telescope, a 24" Ritchey-Chrétien reflector on a computer-controlled fork mount, manufactured by DFM Engineering of Longmont, Colorado, USA.  An elevator takes visitors to its second-story location at the south end of the museum. Once there, a wheelchair elevator takes visitors with limited mobility to the observing deck under a six-meter (20 foot) motorized dome manufactured by Observa-Dome of Jackson, Mississippi, USA.  The ARE-125, an optical "periscope" designed by DFM, allows unprecedented access to the telescope for wheelchair-bound or limited-mobility visitors.  An Apogee Alta E47+ CCD camera is available for imaging, a generous gift of Dick and Jody Shotwell.

Observatory Telescope

For More Information Contact:

The Herrett Center for Arts & Science
The College of Southern Idaho
315 Falls Avenue
Twin Falls, ID 83301
Museum Front Desk: (208) 732-6655
Planetarium Ticket Sales: (208) 736-3059
Star Line Sky Info: (208) 732-MOON (732-6666)
Fax: (208) 736-4712

  Observatory Open Hours &
Admission Prices
  Monthly Star Parties:
  2nd Saturday of the month, year round (weather permitting).
Time: Starting about one hour after sunset, lasting two hours or until 9:00 PM, whichever is later.
Admission: FREE
  Summer Solar Sessions:
  Wednesdays, Memorial Day through Labor Day (weather permitting).
Time: 1:30 to 3:30 PM
Admission: FREE
  Telescope Tuesdays:
  2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month, November through February (weather permitting).
Time: About one hour after sunset until 9:00 PM.
Admission: $1.50 per person (children 6 and under are free) or FREE with planetarium show admission.

  Astronomy Resources
  Eclipses Visible in Twin Falls, Idaho, USA, 2024-2044
  Weather Forecasts:
 
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Centennial Observatory Clear Sky Chart
Centennial Observatory Clear Sky Chart