Chabot Space & Science Center: Oakland's Observatory Dates to 1883, and It's Hosting Spooky Science This Weekend

In the redwoods above Oakland, three historic telescopes open to the public for free on weekend nights.

History

The institution began in 1883 as the Oakland Observatory, a gift to the city from Anthony Chabot, according to Wikipedia. For decades it kept official time for the Bay Area. In 1915 it moved to Mountain Boulevard to escape light pollution. A joint powers agency was formed in 1989, and the current center opened on Aug. 19, 2000, at the edge of Redwood Regional Park. It hosts the NASA Ames Visitor Center.

This week

Chabot's site lists a Sci-Fi Night screening of Little Shop of Horrors on Oct. 30 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. for adults 18 and older ($20). Spooky Science runs Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is included with general admission. The center is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free telescope viewings are Friday and Saturday, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., weather permitting.