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Lowell Observatory

Are We Alone in the Universe?

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Lowell Observatory

Lowell Observatory

Lowell Observatory

Lowell Observatory

Lowell Observatory

Are We Alone in the Universe?

Are We Alone in the Universe?

Are We Alone in the Universe?

Are We Alone in the Universe?

Lowell Observatory
Lowell Observatory
Lowell Observatory
Lowell Observatory
1 Campaign |
Flagstaff, United States
$8,843 USD 85 backers
65% of $13,400 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal

Credits: Massey/Neugent/Lowell Obs./NSF


The possibility of discovering life outside our solar system is no longer science fiction but a matter of time. There may be 70 billion planets or more in our galaxy alone that could possibly harbor life. Help Lowell Observatory in humanity's quest to finally answer the question: Are We Alone?

Our Story

The mission of Lowell Observatory is to pursue the study of astronomy, especially the study of our solar system and its evolution. We conduct pure research in astronomical phenomena and maintain quality public education and outreach programs to share our discoveries with the general public. This mission began on Mars Hill in 1894.

Since then, Lowell astronomers have made some of the biggest discoveries in modern history:

  •  Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto in 1930 using a telescope still on our campus.
  •  In 1912, V.M. Slipher used Percival Lowell's 24" Clark Refractor to be the first to observe the expanding nature of our universe.
  • Dr. Will Grundy is a Co-Investigator on NASA’s New Horizons mission flying by Pluto on July 14th and into the Kuiper Belt. He leads the team responsible for discoveries about Pluto's surface composition. 

Lowell’s rich history provides a strong foundation for today’s astronomers to use one of the most advanced telescopes in the world: our new Discovery Channel Telescope (DCT).

This 4.3-meter telescope became fully commissioned on January 1st, 2015. The cost of operating the DCT is $13,400.00/night. With your support, our astronomers will use the DCT for wide-ranging research including discovering and characterizing habitable exoplanets. 

Get a Perk!

In gratitude for your support we are offering several exciting, astronomy-themed perks!

Featured Perk:

                                                      Mars Globe Replica

                  

We are giving away this Mars Globe Replica as a perk to the first 5 people who make $300 donations. The replica globe, based on Percival Lowell's observations of Mars during its 1905 opposition, was created by Keith Boulger. It sits on a wooden base with a solid brass meridian. Get yours while you can!


Deep Space Image of the Week

Every donation $25 or more will receive an email with an image taken with the DCTs Large Monolithic Imager. 

               DIFFERENT IMAGE EVERY WEEK!

                    

                                   Credit: Neugent/Massey/Lowell Obs./NSF 

This image of the Helix Nebula could be yours! Donate every week to collect them all. Check out the gallery on the menu at the top of the page to see all 7 images. 


Pluto Discovery Circular

When you donate $50 you'll receive an electronic image from Lowell Observatory's archives. You will have your very own image of the circular announcing the discovery of Pluto in 1930. 

This is just a snippet of the full image!


Limited Edition Pluto Trading Cards

For a $100 donation we'll mail you the full pack of nine cards. 

        


Tie or Scarf Printed with Lowell's Telescopes

When you donate $250 you can select a tie or scarf and we'll mail it to you! This unique accessory is printed with a blueprint from our Pluto telescope. 

                                      


"Ask an Astronomer" Webinar with Dr. Gerard van Belle

A donation of $275 gives you the opportunity to attend a webinar with Lowell's Dr. Gerard van Belle. 

                                       

Dr. Gerard van Belle measures the masses and temperatures of distant stars in an attempt to understand the many new planets being discovered around them. 


Tour the Discovery Channel Telescope

For a donation of $500 you can see the DCT in person! On this private tour, an astronomer will escort you to the DCT located 40 miles outside Flagstaff, Arizona. You will go behind the scenes at one of the most advanced telescopes in the world. 

*We ask that you book your tour two months in advance and allow 3 hours for transport to the site, lunch and the tour. 

"Pluto" Webinar with Dr. Will Grundy

When you donate $350 you are invited to join a webinar discussion with Dr. Will Grundy, a Co-Investigator for NASA's New Horizons mission flying by Pluto on July 14th. 

        

         


Dr. Will Grundy leads the New Horizons team responsible for discoveries about Pluto's surface composition. There will be a Q&A session after the webinar!

Receive an Original Percival Lowell Publication

Donate $300 and we will send you your very own original publication of Percival Lowell's Memoir on a Trans-Neptunian Planet.  

                                        


Become an Honorary Astronomer

Your donation of $1,000 gets you and one guest a two-night stay in the Clyde Tombaugh Apartment at Lowell Observatory. You'll receive a tour of our archives, the Pluto telescope and you'll have your own private viewing through the historic (recently restored) 24" Clark Refractor. To top off your stay, Director Jeffrey Hall will take you to dinner. PLUS take home an Honorary Lowell Observatory Astronomer Certificate!

*We ask that you book your stay two months in advance. 


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Choose your Perk

featured

Mars Globe Replica

$300 USD
You can own a replica globe based on Lowell's observations of Mars during its 1905 opposition. The globe, on a wooden base with a solid brass meridian, was created by Keith Boulger. There are only 5 available.
Estimated Shipping
August 2015
4 out of 5 of claimed
Ships to United States of America

Sombrero Image

$10 USD
Get your own copy of our campaign image: the Sombrero Galaxy! We'll email you this image from Discovery Channel Telescope's Large Monolithic Imager. You can download it to use as a stunning backdrop on your computer.
5 claimed

Deep Space Image of the Week

$25 USD
We'll send you an electronic image from Discovery Channel Telescope's Large Monolithic Imager (LMI). We change the image offered every week so check back to collect them all! Each image comes with a description and insider info from Director Jeffrey Hall!
9 claimed

Pluto Discovery Circular

$50 USD
We'll email an image of the Circular announcing the discovery of Pluto in 1930! You will also get the Deep Space Image of the week, taken with DCT's Large Monolithic Imager (LMI).
4 claimed

Limited Edition Trading Cards

$100 USD
You'll receive an email with the LMI image of the week. PLUS a pack of our Limited Edition Pluto Trading Cards and a Planetary Membership with the Observatory for one year!
6 out of 200 of claimed

Telescope Print Tie or Scarf

$250 USD
You'll get an email with the LMI image of the week and the Planetary Membership for one year. PLUS a tie or scarf with blueprints from our telescope! Please specify if you would prefer the tie or scarf.
2 claimed

"Ask an Astronomer" Webinar

$275 USD
We'll send the LMI image of the week and the Planetary Membership for one year. PLUS the chance to have your astronomy questions answered by Lowell's Dr. Gerard van Belle in a webinar!
0 claimed
Ships worldwide.

Original P. Lowell Publication

$300 USD
We will ship you an Original Publication of Percival Lowell's "Memoirs on a Trans-Neptunian Planet"! You will also receive an email of the LMI image of the week, a Planetary Membership for one year, and a chance to attend BOTH the Pluto Webinar with Dr. Grundy and the "Ask an Astronomer" Webinar with Dr. Van Belle!
1 out of 3 of claimed
Ships to United States of America

"Pluto" Webinar

$350 USD
You'll get the LMI image of the week emailed to you and a Planetary Membership for one year. PLUS a webinar session with Lowell's Dr. Will Grundy, Co-Investigator for NASA's New Horizons mission flying by Pluto on July 14th! AND a chance to have your astronomy questions answered by Dr. Gerard van Belle in a SECOND webinar!
0 claimed
Ships worldwide.

Tour of the DCT

$500 USD
You will receive an e-image of the LMI of the week, a Planetary Membership for one year, PLUS a private tour of the Discovery Channel Telescope! Located 40 miles outside Flagstaff, the DCT is the fifth-largest telescope in the continental US. You are also invited to attend BOTH the "Pluto" and "Ask an Astronomer" webinars! We ask that you book your DCT tour two months in advance.
0 claimed
Ships worldwide.

Honorary Astronomer

$1,000 USD
Stay for 2 nights in the apartment Clyde Tombaugh lived in when he discovered Pluto! We'll give you a tour of Lowell's archives, the Pluto telescope and a private viewing through Percival Lowell's 24" Clark Refractor. PLUS take home your Honorary Lowell Astronomer Certificate! Please book two months in advance.
0 out of 3 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

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