Bring the family to the Chabot Space & Science Center for an interactive day out. Touch an actual space suit, watch the stars unfold in front of you at the planetarium or see the night sky through a giant telescope. A trip to the museum reveals how stars are born and lets you look at the surface of the sun before settling into a seat at the IMAX theatre for a space show.
Built in 1883, the Chabot Space & Science Center was once known as the Oakland Observatory. The original telescope remains at the centre but is today joined by two modern models. The 8,000-square-metre (86,000-square-foot) centre is dedicated to using its advanced technology to educate visitors about space.
Watch a show on the 21-metre (70-foot) screen in the Ask Jeeves Planetarium. Regular pre-recorded shows, like the film Astronaut, can be seen daily and a live show takes place twice a week. Afterwards, visit the nearby Tien Megadome for more space-related entertainment, or sit down before the enormous IMAX screen to watch films like SolarMax, an educational journey to the surface of the sun.
Make sure you see the centre’s three impressive telescopes, including “Leah”, which dates back to 1883. See “Rachel”, the largest refractor telescope in the United States that is open to the public alongside the most recent addition, “Nellie”, which offers a 180-degree view of the sky. By day you can see both the sun and the moon, along with Venus. Visit on a Friday or Saturday night and you’ll have the chance to see the night sky illuminated by many of the constellations in the solar system.
Set aside at least half a day to take in the whole center. There are snacks and drinks available from the Space Café and a gift shop selling excellent souvenirs.
The Chabot Space & Science Center is situated within Redwood Regional Park and can be reached by car or public bus. Free parking is available on site and an admission fee applies for entry. The centre is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays during winter but only Mondays during summer.
