Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff will open its new open-deck observatory on Saturday, Oct. 5.
The Giovale Open Deck Observatory includes educational exhibits and six telescopes, ranging from a 5.5-inch wide-field refractor to a 32-inch reflector.
Visitors can view objects in space through eyepieces or on large screens.
When not in use, the deck is covered by a retractable building.
The event will run from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and will include tours, viewings, a ribbon cutting and a scavenger hunt for kids.
The plaza marks the latest development in the observatory's master plan.
The next phase will involve the completion of the $29 million, three-story Astronomy Discovery Center in 2023.
