Centennial Observatory
Herrett Center for the Arts and Science

Open Hours & Admission Prices

Monthly Star Parties:
2nd Saturday of the month, year round (weather permitting).
Starts: One hour after sunset.
Ends: Midnight
Admission: FREE

Astronomy Talk Nights:
Following bimonthly astronomy talks (Friday nearest the new Moon in odd months). Weather permitting.
Starts: One hour after sunset or 8:15 pm (whichever is latest).
Ends: Midnight
Admission: $1.50 per person (children 6 and under are free) or
FREE with paid admission to astronomy talk or planetarium show.

Summer Solar Sessions:
Wednesday afternons, Memorial Day through Labor Day (weather permitting).
Starts: 1:30 pm
Ends: 3:30 pm
Admission: FREE

Family Nights:
1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month, November through early March (weather permitting).
Starts: 1 hour after sunset.
Ends: 9:00 pm
Admission: $1.50 per person (children 6 and under are free) or
FREE with planetarium show admission.

School Programs:
School groups receive an introductory program and observatory tour, including views of the sun with special solar filtered telescopes and select daytime targets like bright planets and stars.
One program is offered per week (teachers' choice, Tues.-Fri.) on a first come, first served basis.
Admission: $1.50 per person OR
Book a planetarium show, observatory program, and museum program on the same day for $5 per person.

Special Sky Events:
See Upcoming Events list.
Admission: FREE

The Centennial Observatory

The observatory features the one of the world's largest fully handicapped-accessible public telescopes. The main instrument is the Norman Herrett telescope, a 24" Ritchey-Chretien reflector on a computer-controlled Telescopefork mount, manufactured by DFM Engineering of Longmont, Colorado, USA. The observatory features an elevator to take visitors to its second-story location at the south end of the museum. Once there, a wheelchair elevator is available to lift 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 vistors. An Apogee Alta E47+ CCD camera is available for imaging, a generous gift of Dick and Jody Shotwell.

For More Information Contact:

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

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