Night Sky - Kansas City with Kids

Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium

Built as part of Union Station's renovations in the late 1990s, the Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium's 60-foot dome and recently upgraded state-of-the-art projection system make it one of the largest and highest resolution planetariums in the Midwest. In addition to daily public shows, Union Station offers a number of opportunities in the planetarium for groups including field trips, Girl and Boy Scout badge workshops, summer camps, and other educational opportunities.

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Powell Observatory

The observatory is open to the public Saturday nights, May through October and for special astronomical events. Public programs include an educational presentation on an interesting astronomy topic, a tour of the night sky and viewing through the telescopes (weather permitting). Because the observatory is staffed by volunteers, we request a donation upon entry to help maintain and operate the observatory. Built in 1984, the observatory is located about 25 miles South of Kansas City in Lewis-Young Park, just North of Louisburg, KS.

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The Warkoczewski ("Warko") Observatory

The observatory is open to the public CLEAR Friday nights, May through October, and for special astronomical events. Public programs include a tour of the night sky, viewing through the telescopes (weather permitting), and sometimes an educational presentation on an interesting astronomy topic. Located on the roof of Royall Hall, UMKC Volker Campus. Observing instruments include the custom-built 16” Warkoczewski Telescope, Meade 10” and 14” LX200 Schmidt Cassegrain computerized telescopes and for solar viewing, a Coronado PST Solar Telescope and the Daystar “Quark” Hydrogen Alpha mounted on an 80mm refracting telescope.

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