The Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium is part of The University of Arizona and will provide you with a day trip that will not only educate but amaze you. The center has many exhibits for hands on interaction as well as interesting demonstrations. The center is located at 1601 E. University Blvd in Tucson, AZ and you can contact them at 502-621-STAR.
The Flandrau Science Center will allow you to get some hands on interaction with some exhibits in the Design Garage. Some of things that you can do is be an ice skater, create your own cartoon or talk with a computer. The Planetarium has many shows that will mystify you, during the holiday season, they have a holiday show called Tis the Season. This show open on November 23rd until June 6, 2008. The show will educate you on world holiday customs and stories about the history of traditions that we practice now. It will also discuss different religious and cultural rituals that Christians, Jewish, Celtic, Pagan, Nordic, Roman, Egyptian and Hopi practice. The history of Christmas songs, decorations and what the sky can tell us about the Christmas season. Another show called Ring World will begin on January 10, 2008 and will educate you on the different planets and take you for a guided tour through the universe. Under Arizona Skies will educate you on the planet, constellations, the galaxy, and stars. 3-2-1 Blast Off! Is a show about two children who play a game which is a virtual realty game of the Solar System. Larry Cat In Space is about a cat who follows his friend Larry who is a lunar geologist to the Moon.
The center also has an Observatory which you can come after dark to use their 16 inch telescope. The Observatory is open for free Wednesday to Saturday after sunset (7:00 pm — 10:00 pm) all year. However, it is closed on major holidays such as Christmas, Christmas Eve, Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. There will be an astronomer available to explain and help you with the telescope.
