Private Tour Information
Scheduled times for private tours beginning May 14 through
July 19 are reserved by appointment only. Private tours
can be scheduled from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday, Wednesday, Friday,
Saturday and from 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM on Tuesday, Thursday.
Please call (317) 940-8333 or by e-mail at holcombobservatory@butler.edu for
availability.
We will be closed for
private tours only between April 29 - May 13 and July
22 through mid September.
Private Tours and Fees
Private group tours can be scheduled at selected weekday
times. A student to adult ratio of 10:1 is required for all
private group visits to maintain quietness during the tour. The
cost is $2.00 per person with a minimum of cost $50. Only cash or check is accepted at the
Observatory. Private tours are limited
to 35 guests in the planetarium. For patron information
there are 3 sets of steps to the telescope and no elevator.
Reservations are required for all private group visits. If you are
interested in scheduling a private tour please call the
observatory information line at (317) 940-8333 or by e-mail at
holcombobservatory@butler.edu
.
What to Expect
Visitors will enjoy an hour-long tour consisting of a
presentation covering the current night sky, a seasonal star show,
with explanations of the symbols on the terrazo lobby floor and the
stair railing, along with a visit to telescope dome. In the
telescope dome the guide will explain and demonstrate the operation
of the Holcomb Telescope. During nighttime tours (if weather
permits) we will offer telescope viewing.
During most of 2013 the main telescope will be undergoing a
$325,000 refurbishment. For night time tours (if weather
permits) we will still have telescope viewing as usual. A
portable telescope will be used for viewing of planets, the Moon,
and stars. For more information visit the upgrades tab on the
lower left.
Preparing for the Tour
To prepare for the tour we suggest you look at other information
on our web site. To learn about the telescopes look at the telescopes
and instruments links. Planets are usually
included in the planetarium presentation. To learn more about the
planets visit the Jet Propulsion Laboratory
website. To prepare yourself for a the planetarium star show it
is suggested that you look and the star
chart and current night sky links.
More Information
Tour reservations will be held up to 20 minutes after your
prescheduled tour time (your tour will be shortened if another tour
is schedule after you). Following that your reservation is subject
to cancellation and you will be charged a service fee of $25. per
tour. If the need arises and you must cancel your tour reservation,
please call (317) 940-8333 or e-mail holcombobservatory@butler.edu
at least two business days in
advance to avoid the service fee. Returned checks will be charged a
service fee of $20. Group leaders should collect the appropriate
admission fee from the group members in advance. Payment can be
made either by cash or a check made out to J. I. Holcomb
Observatory. The cash or check should be given to the planetarium
personnel upon entry. It is recommended that you arrive 10 minutes
before your tour so that you may be seated.
Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium is located on the north end
of the Butler University campus and can be reached by heading west
on 46th Street from N. Meridian Street and then turning north once
at the center of campus. Download the campus map
(PDF). Visitor parking is available on
campus. See parking map (PDF)
Wheelchair accessibility is available in
the Planetarium and Lobby area only. No elevator is available to
the dome where the 38-inch telescope is located.