Planetariums
Como Planetarium — Saint Paul
651.293.5398
This small school planetarium (seats 60) is in Saint Paul's Como
Elementary school. Director Dennis Brinkman will schedule your school
group for you. If you have a large enough private group, a time may be
possible to arrange. Public shows scheduled one Thursday each month.
Paulucci Space Theatre - Hibbing
218.262.6720
In Northern Minnesota, this public planetarium (seats 61) offers large
format films and star shows. Enjoy programs in their 40 foot diameter
domed theatre, and enjoy the activities in our "Kids' Corner." The
theatre is located on the Hibbing Community College campus and is owned
and operated by that institution.
Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium - Univ of Minnesota, Duluth
218.726.7129
Free public shows Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm and private shows can
be scheduled with one of the Planetarium staff.
Mankato East Public Schools Planetarium
Public shows on Friday nights.
Southwest State University Planetarium - Marshall, MN
507.537.6173
This planetarium offers public and a wide variety of group shows. Located on campus. Some good astronomy links.
Saint Cloud Astronomy
320.255.2011
Planetarium available for school groups. Located at Saint Cloud
University. Public shows scheduled in February and March.
Regional Science Center Planetarium - Moorhead
218.477.2920
Run by Moorhead State University, this small planetarium (seats 60) offers public shows and school group shows.
Mayo High School Planetarium - Rochester
507.285.8797
Small planetarium (seats 60). Call for school group reservations. Contact is Larry Mascotti.
Observatories
Eisenhower Observatory - Hopkins
952.988.4077
On the 3rd floor of the Eisenhower Community Center in Hopkins--1001
West Hwy 7. Special presentations available for scouts or class groups
by reservation. Open to the general public for viewing by calling for
reservations. Run by volunteer experts. The 12 inch Lawrence Sauter
telescope is your transport to the stars. A $2 donation for adults and
$1 donation for children is requested.
Onan Observatory - Norwood-Young America
Public Star Parties 2nd and 4th Saturdays, March-November
Baylor Regional Park, Norwood-Young America, MN
Macalester Observatory - Saint Paul
During school year, they offer clear observing on Wednesday and Thursday nights from 9pm to 11pm.
Goodsell Observatory - Carleton College, Northfield
In Goodsell's main dome, there is a 16.2 inch John Brashear refractor
and in the smaller dome there is an 8 1/4 inch Alvan Clark and Sons
refractor. Both are over a hundred years old. Goodsell also has some
modern telescopes which consist of six f/10, 8 inch, Meade telescopes
and four newly purchased f/6.3, 8 inch, Meade "reflecting", LX200
telescopes. These telescopes are used for setting up outside on
observing piers during observing classes and public or private open
houses.
Sola Fide Observatory - Austin
507.437.7519
The facility is open to the public one or two Saturdays per month when
volunteers are available to show visitors constellations and other
celestial bodies.
Mankato Astronomy
See website for observatories run by the University.
St Kate's Observatory - Saint Paul
Not currently open. Will announce soon.
Groups
Minnesota Astronomical Society
3 locations
952.467.2426
Local group of amateur astronomers go to 3 locations far from city
lights with their telescopes to see the stars, planets and many lovely
deep sky objects! Join them free of charge. See their website for a
listing of their star parties.
Steele County Astronomical Society - Owatonna
Rochester Astronomy Club
Arrowhead Astronomical Society - Duluth
A club for Duluth area amateur astronomers. This club is for anyone
with an interest in the night sky. Beginners to advanced amateurs are
welcome.
Other
University of Minnesota Astronomy Department - Minneapolis
612.624.0211
Click outreach on their website for their observing atop the physics
building on Friday nights during the school year. They also have been
doing a program called Universe in the Park during the summer.
Science Museum of Minnesota - Saint Paul
651.221.9444
Occasionally, Minnesota's beautiful new science museum in downtown
Saint Paul will have an astronomical film or exhibit. They will also
have multiple daily screenings of a 20 minute Mars 3D film. For more
info, please click here.