Sky & instruments
Observatories
Griffith Observatory, Kitt Peak, Mauna Kea: domes on dark, high ground. Some have a visitor centre and evenings at the telescope, others are research sites closed to the public – check the website first.
- 3
- observatories in this area
- 1
- states/provinces with entries
- 1933
- oldest built
By state
Texas 3
Good to know
- The trip is worth it by day too: the domes sit on mountains, and the view from up there is often the second picture.
- Stars need a tripod and a new moon. TripPhoto shows the moon phase for every day of your trip.
- White light ruins the observing – use red light only on the grounds and switch the flash off.
Sources: Wikidata (CC0), Photos: Wikimedia Commons (author and licence per image) · Last checked on 19 September 2026