At the lakefront Adler Planetarium, the night sky comes into sharp focus thanks to the largest publicly accessible telescope in Chicago. Through the popular Scopes at the Adler program, visitors can enjoy free telescope viewing and experience remarkable sights, from sunspots during the day to the moon, planets, and distant stars after sunset. Whether you’re an experienced stargazer or peering through a telescope for the first time, Scopes at the Adler offers a way to connect with the cosmos.
The centerpiece of the program is the Doane Observatory, which houses a 20-inch Clark refractor telescope. As Chicago’s largest telescope, it provides some of the clearest and brightest views of the universe anywhere in the city. Knowledgeable staff and volunteers are on hand to help visitors navigate the night sky, point out celestial highlights visible during sessions, and answer questions.
The Doane Observatory welcomes the public for night observing on Wednesdays, weather permitting, from dusk until 10 p.m. Because opening times depend on sunset, the schedule changes throughout the year. Viewing is available on a first-come, first-served basis, making it easy to stop by and see what’s visible. No museum admission, ticket, or reservation is required.
Every visit to Scopes at the Adler is a little different. The moon’s phases, the changing positions of planets, and seasonal constellations mean there’s always something new to discover. Weather conditions also influence what can be viewed.
Visitors don’t need to wait until dark, though. The Adler recently began offering daytime solar viewing on Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., weather permitting. Using specially equipped telescopes, guests can safely observe the sun and its features, including sunspots and solar activity. Additional smaller telescopes are set up on the Telescope Terrace, giving visitors even more opportunities to explore the sky.
As part of Chicago’s lakefront Museum Campus, the Adler Planetarium offers a unique opportunity to discover the wonders of astronomy in an easily accessible setting. And Scopes at the Adler brings the universe a little closer.
Start planning your visit to the Adler Planetarium today.
