Named for American author Grace Flandrau, this science center and planetarium belongs to the University of Arizona. The center began with a gift from Flandrau’s estate; the university Board of Regents approved its creation in 1972, and it first opened its doors in 1975 under the direction of O. Richard Norton. Inside you’ll find a range of science exhibits focused on Earth and space sciences, and the planetarium theater now carries the name Eos Foundation Planetarium Theater after renovations completed in 2017.
The planetarium’s dome measures 15.2 meters and seats 146 people, and it replaced an earlier star projector that was nicknamed the 'Hector Vector Star Projector.' Even the skies beyond have taken notice: the minor planet 18368 Flandrau is named for this center. Stand here and remember the center was founded using a donation from the estate of Grace Flandrau. Listen for the hush that a planetarium brings, and consider the lineage from that first star projector to the renovated Eos theater you can visit today.
Notice the 15.2-meter dome that seats 146 people above you.