November 14, 2025 (Amado, Arizona)— The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory’s Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory, a part of the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian, will reopen to the public on Friday, November 21, 2025 after being closed for 34 days during the government shutdown.

The government shutdown began on October 1, 2025. The Smithsonian Institution, including the Whipple Observatory, continued to operate as normal on prior year funding through October 11, 2025.

 

“We are excited to reopen to the public and welcome our local community and visitors from afar back into the Science Center,” said Amy C. Oliver, FRAS, Public Affairs Officer and Science Center Manager for the Whipple Observatory. “We are currently working on bringing back our amazing volunteers, who have also been away during this time, and getting everyone ready to reopen and help us spread wonder.”

Whipple Observatory’s Science Center is open in 2025 on most Fridays from 10:00am to 3:00pm, and through the end of the year will be open on November 21, November 28, December 5, December 12, and December 19. The Science Center will be closed on December 26 and January 2 to allow volunteers and staff to spend time away with their families during the holiday season.

 

Questions can be directed to 520-879-4407 on open Fridays. Messages left on this line will be returned on the Science Center’s next public open day.

 

Up Close with VERITAS walking tour resumes

The Up Close with VERITAS one-hour walking tour of the lower observatory  will resume on Friday, November 21 with tours at 10:00am and 11:30am. Tickets for Up Close with VERITAS must be purchased in advance online at https://www.etix.com/ticket/e/1046748/.

 

“A Feast of Physics”: Black Hole Friday

On the Friday after Thanksgiving, Whipple Observatory will host its annually-anticipated Black Hole Friday, complete with science mini presentations, mini presentations, activities, and a Black Friday sale featuring all-new merchandise in the AstroFunsics retail shop. This year’s Black Hole Friday, “A Feast of Physics” will focus on the “bad table manners” exhibited by supermassive black holes with a few pumpkins playing the part.

 

2025/2026 Volunteer Cohort

Whipple Observatory is currently seeking seasonal and year-round volunteers to join its 2025/2026 volunteer cohort. “Volunteers at Whipple Observatory do not need a science background, just a healthy sense of wonder and a desire to share their excitement about learning with others,” said Oliver. “Our volunteer cohort includes former doctors, musicians, ornithologists, and marketing and communications professionals. What matters is that you want to learn and have a great time doing it.”

 

Those interested in joining Whipple Observatory should email flwo-pubaffairs@cfa.harvard.edu to setup a meeting with the Volunteer Council and learn more about opportunities to volunteer as a tour guide, exhibits interpreter, public events staff, and science demonstration specialist.

 

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