Visitors Center
FLWO Visitor and Science Center
The Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory (FLWO), part of the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian, is an observatory based in Mount Hopkins, Arizona. Alongside its status as an active observatory, hosting a number of innovative telescopes and instrumentation used for global astrophysics research, it is also dedicated to accessible astrophysics education and is open to the public through the Visitor and Science Center.
The Visitor and Science Center showcases astrophysics exhibits, views of the surrounding Santa Rita Mountains and the MMT Observatory, and a Smithsonian gift shop. Tours of FLWO telescopes are offered on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from mid-March through November.
Visitor and Science Center Hours
In light of recent public health and safety concerns, Whipple Observatory is closed to the public until further notice, and all public programming and public outreach is suspended. We will begin taking tour reservations again when normal operations resume.
Monday – Friday, CLOSED
First Saturday of each month, CLOSED
Please note: The Visitor and Science Center is closed on federal holidays, during severe inclement weather, and other unforeseen circumstances. Please contact the Observatory before travel.