Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium Named One of USA Today's 10 Best Planetariums

Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium at The University of Arizona has been recognized as one of the top planetariums in the country by USA Today's 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for 2025. The planetarium, which first opened in 1975, was ranked at number four nationally.

As Flandrau approaches its 50th anniversary, this recognition underscores its unique role in blending public entertainment and academic excellence. Flandrau’s Eos Foundation Planetarium Theater (renovated and updated in 2017) offers visitors an immersive experience with its 146 custom-designed premium seats, a SCISS Colorspace projection system featuring 4K resolution fulldome projection, and dynamic planetarium software. This theater is the only flat-dome planetarium in Arizona and provides a range of shows that captivate audiences and foster a deeper understanding of the cosmos.

The planetarium also doubles as a classroom, where future astronomers take college courses like Astronomy 170B1: Exploring Our Universe. It serves as a venue for the Science at Sunset series, featuring University of Arizona researchers at the forefront of discoveries in black holes, monsoons, OSIRIS-REx, and the James Webb Space Telescope.

Flandrau is also committed to accessibility and community outreach. The theater offers dedicated seating for wheelchair users, a hearing aid loop system, and live closed captioning via smartphone for full-dome films. Flandrau raises funds year-round to provide free planetarium shows and live star talks for Title I school students on field trips.

To learn more about Flandrau and to plan your next visit, click here.