Astronomy - Atlas Obscura
Places near me Random place

264 Items Tagged

Astronomy

Share Tweet
Itinerary

7 Places to Experience Big Wonder in Texas

Hit the state’s highest peaks, darkest skies, and widest vistas on this super-sized road trip.
The changing colors of Uluru at sunset. The famous gigantic monolith rock in the Australian desert.
Itinerary

The Explorer’s Guide to the Northern Territory, Australia

Stargazing, bush tucker, and wildlife from the Top End to the Red Centre
Bonfires and revelry dominate modern Beltane celebrations, but the origins of the event are more mundane.
astronomy

Beltane Is About More Than Fire and Fertility

The ancient “Celtic” start of summer is rooted in animal husbandry—and it’s not on May 1.
Gemma Tarlach April 28, 2023
Centre of the Universe
Victoria, British Columbia

Centre of the Universe

A cheeky name for an observatory visitor's center.
Perth Observatory
Bickley, Australia

Perth Observatory

The oldest observatory in West Australia.
Mogollon, New Mexico

Cosmic Campground

This remote camping site offers incredible stargazing opportunities.
Bald Mountain Canyon in Massacre Rim Wilderness Study Area
Washoe County, Nevada

Massacre Rim Wilderness Study Area

An internationally-recognized dark sky sanctuary lies in northern Nevada, near the Oregon line.
Lockheed Martin Solar Astrophysics Laboratory Lobby
Palo Alto, California

Lockheed Martin Solar Astrophysics Laboratory Lobby

Gander at model satellites and telescopes in this scientific lobby.
Petroglyphs
Caguana, Puerto Rico

Caguana Ceremonial Ball Courts

Built some 700 years ago, this Taíno ceremonial site features ball courts, petroglyphs, and evidence of ancient astronomy practices.
Kirkhill Astronomical Pillar
Broxburn, Scotland

Kirkhill Astronomical Pillar

In the 18th century, the Earl of Buchan mapped the universe on this stone pillar.
Great Refractor Potsdam
Potsdam, Germany

Großer Refraktor (Great Refractor)

One of the largest refracting telescopes in the world, and the first built specifically for studying astrophysics.
When it comes to meteorite hunting, Vargas says, “I love it. I love all this stuff.”
meteorites

Meet the Meteorite Hunters Who Rush In When Space Rocks Crash to Earth

For this community of “space cowboys,” entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts, a fireball streaming across the sky offers big risks and bigger rewards—and new tech is heating up the competition.
Sarah Durn September 29, 2022
Saltsjöbaden Observatory
Stockholm, Sweden

Saltsjöbaden Observatory

Once the world's most modern observatory, this building is now a private school.
Richard B. Dunn Solar Telescope
Sunspot, New Mexico

Sunspot Solar Observatory

High in the Sacramento Mountains, a facility dedicated to studying the sun.
Stones at the original Nabta Playa site
Aswan, Egypt

Nabta Playa Stone Circle

This North African stone complex is considered to be the oldest astronomical observatory on Earth.
Flagstaff, Arizona

Pluto Discovery Telescope

A planet-hunting astrograph built in the 1920s to seek out the so-called "Planet X" beyond Uranus.
Enchanted Rock at night.
astronomy

Where to Find Dark Skies in the Texas Hill Country

Fredericksburg is one of Texas’ newest Dark Sky Communities, which makes stargazing here out of this world.
Gran Telescopio Canarias
La Palma, Spain

Gran Telescopio Canarias

The world's largest single-aperture telescope resides in the Canary Islands.