Visitor Guidelines
Observing the following guidelines will help ensure that everyone has an enjoyable evening at the Little Thompson Observatory. We thank you for your cooperation.
Please Do
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Please Don’t
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- Dress according to the prevailing outside temperatures. While the main room at the observatory is heated, the telescope is maintained at outside temperatures for technical reasons.
- Bring a small flashlight, because the path to and from the observatory is not brightly lit.
- Listen to the presentation, ask a lot of questions, and enjoy yourself – it is your evening at the observatory! Our volunteers will do whatever is possible to make it an unforgettable experience for you.
- Your co-operation in keeping the facility clean and orderly is most appreciated.
- Except for Public Star Nights (because of the many visitors present) you may bring your own instrumentation (including eyepieces) for use on the large telescope with prior approval.
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- Bring food or drinks into the observatory unless specifically approved in advance. Bottled water is available at the observatory for a small donation ($0.50).
- Bring your pet. Except service dogs, animals are not permitted.
- Bring alcohol, tobacco products, or drugs of any type. Smoking is not permitted. The observatory is on school grounds and as such is within a “Drug Free Zone.”
- Please leave bicycles, skateboards or in-line skates outside the observatory building.
- Use your cell phone while up in the dome. If you must take a call or send a message, please go down to the warm room. Lighted cell phones cause problems with night vision and distract from the viewing experience.
- Touch or lean on the constellation wall. We know it’s tempting but just look – don’t touch. Unlike the real ones, our stars are easy to knock out of their constellations.
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The Little Thompson Science Foundation reserves the right to refuse observatory access to anyone.
Note on Accessibility:
While the main LTO building is wheelchair accessible, the telescope itself is not. This is because the stairway into the observatory dome is—by necessity—steep, curved, narrow, and dimly lit.
Although there is a convenient handrail, those with significant physical limitations should contact LTO before their visit to determine if access to the telescope can be accommodated.
