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Open 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Closed Tuesdays.
Gaze upon the wonders of the cosmos with our astronomy experts in an exciting one-on-one experience. SkyWatch features our cutting-edge planetarium, private observatory deck, and professional telescopes like our Meade LX200 ACF. Perfect for all ages and skill levels! Purchase tickets online before the event; no walk-up sales.
SkyWatch is a rain-or-shine event (unless weather conditions are deemed unsafe).
SkyWatch events are offered on select dates. Please check back, as new dates are added throughout the year.
One Allegheny Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
412.237.3400
Sat., May 23
9 p.m.-11 p.m.
Explore the giant leaps NASA has taken to explore the Moon, as well as the small steps they continue to take every day. Marvel at the Moon under the dome and spot the Moon through telescopes on the observatory deck (weather-permitting). Other viewing targets include Jupiter and Venus! Visitors will also work together, in a multi-step demonstration, to solve a series of challenges grounded in real science about living and doing research on the Moon.
Sat., June 27
9 p.m.-11 p.m.
Celebrate Native American cultures influence on stories and names of phenomena in astronomy with hands-on activities and a planetarium show. Viewing targets from the observatory deck (weather-permitting) include Corona Borelias – a small constellation — at its highest point in the sky, the Moon, and Venus.
Sat., July 25
9 p.m.-11 p.m.
Become a novice at navigating the night sky, specifically locating prominent objects in Pittsburgh’s skyline, with our team of astronomy experts. Enjoy an iconic “Stars Over Pittsburgh” planetarium show and assemble your very own Star and Sun Dial Clocks. End the night by putting your knowledge to the test with telescopes on our observatory deck (weather-permitting). Viewing targets include the Summer Triangle (stars include: Vega, Deneb, and Altair), Maui’s Hook in the constellation Scorpius, and the Moon.
Sat., Aug. 22
9 p.m.-11 p.m.
Is life better on Saturn? Learn about the Ringed Giant through data collected from missions set to explore the planet and create Saturn’s Rings through a take-home demo. Marvel at Saturn’s rings made of millions of individual pieces of ice, dust, and rock under the dome and design your very own Pocket Solar System. Viewing targets from the observatory deck (weather-permitting) include Saturn, the Moon, and binary star Albireo A and Albireo B.
Sat., Sept. 26
9 p.m.-11 p.m.
Celebrate Neptune’s discovery with us! In September 1846, Neptune became the first planet located through mathematical predictions rather than through regular observations of the sky. Explore methods used to
discover both solar system planets and exoplanets through two immersive activities investigating hidden object shadows and phenomena like stellar wobble and planet formation. The night also includes a planetarium show and time to explore the night sky from the observatory deck (weather-permitting). Viewing objects include Saturn, the Moon, and binary star Albireo A and B.
Sat., Oct. 24
9 p.m.-11 p.m.
Is there anyone out there? Uncover how NASA has looked for key elements of life on moons in our solar systems and how the Cassini mission contributed to these efforts. Draw an extreme environment beyond Earth and invent a living thing that could survive there, modeling NASA scientists’ study on extremophiles. Build a spacecraft and put it through a series of tests to ensure it’s ready to launch. Additionally, enjoy a planetarium show and stargazing time on the observatory deck (weather-permitting). Viewing targets include Saturn, the Moon, and Pleiades, an open star cluster located about 440 light-years away in the constellation Taurus.
Sat., Nov. 28
9 p.m.-11 p.m.
Geared towards little learners!
Explore the life cycle of stars and how they age with Quasi! Create your own constellation using markers, stickers, and gemstones, play with magnifying glasses to identify different objects, and explore filters and how they capture different energies of light in space. Enjoy an iconic planetarium show and stargaze from our observatory deck (weather-permitting). Viewing targets include Orion Nebula, a stellar nursery in constellation Orion, Pleiades an open star cluster located about 440 light-years away in the constellation Taurus, the Moon, and Saturn.
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Enjoy a custom Stars Over Pittsburgh 30-minute show highlighting that evening’s sky.
Engage in experiential learning with astronomy and space-based activities.
Extend your curiosity with Free Flow, curated time in the planetarium exploring more of the universe.
Tickets will be on sale soon. Please check back.
Bring the whole family for an unforgettable evening under the stars!
