Chabot Space & Science Center Inspires and Educates Visitors of All Ages!
Chabot Space & Science Center is home of NASA Ames Visitor Center, a non-profit science center that serves Oakland and the greater Bay Area as a place for STEM learning and engagement featuring an Observatory, Planetarium, exhibition galleries and more. Its mission is to inspire and educate learners of all ages about the Universe and Planet Earth.
Celebrating the diversity of the Bay Area, Chabot aims to make science and space accessible to a multitude of audiences through immersive exhibits, hands-on STEM activities, planetarium shows, education, and youth development programs.
In 2021, Chabot opened NASA Ames Visitor Center, featuring hands-on activities and NASA Ames artifacts, that highlight current Ames’ research and space missions, all part of a broader partnership between the Center and NASA Ames.
The research-level observatory complex features three large scale telescopes and is the largest observatory complex free for public viewing in the Western United States. Yes, the public is invited to join Chabot astronomers on the Observatory Deck for free telescope viewing! Weather permitting, this is a chance to explore stars, planets and more through Chabot’s historic telescopes. Chabot’s three large historic telescopes offer a unique way to experience the awe and wonder of the Universe. Our observatory deck offers breathtaking views 1,500 feet above the Bay. The telescope domes house 8-inch (Leah, 1883) and 20-inch telescope (Rachel, 1916) refracting telescopes, along with a 36-inch reflecting telescope (Nellie, 2003). The 20-inch telescope was used to relay information to NASA during the Apollo 13 descent. The 36-inch telescope is actively used for Near Earth Object research.
Chabot’s full-dome planetarium shows let you to explore everything from Earth to the frontiers of the Milky Way Galaxy, all from the comfort of a climate-controlled theater. During general admission hours, enjoy planetarium shows every hour, on the hour.
Founded in 1883 as an astronomical observatory, Chabot is located at 10000 Skyline Blvd. in Oakland, CA. on 13 trail-laced acres in Oakland’s Redwood Regional Park within the largest stand of coastal redwoods in the East Bay.
For visitors there is convenient, free parking in Chabot’s 3-level parking structure. Current Center hours through May 31st are Friday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday through Friday 9:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. for group bookings by reservation only. There are also free telescope viewings on Fridays and Saturdays from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., weather permitting.
For visitor questions and accommodations, please phone (510) 336-7300 or VisitorInfo@ChabotSpace.org.