Private Group Tours

Observatory with Saturn in the background.

Holcomb Observatory invites you to join us for group tours by kindly provide the requested information below and send it to holcombobservatory@butler.edu.

The Diamond Ring Effect shortly before the beginning of a total solar eclipse.

Get ready for an extraordinary celestial event! On April 8th, 2024, Indianapolis will witness its first total solar eclipse in over 800 years. This rare event promises to be the most awe-inspiring astronomical experience imaginable. To prepare for this significant celestial occurrence, we highly recommend that groups choose our planetarium program, “Eclipse: The Sun Revealed.” This program will provide you with comprehensive insights into this remarkable celestial phenomenon, ensuring that your audience is well-prepared for the Great American Eclipse of 2024.

While visiting the observatory, groups will have the opportunity to purchase eclipse glasses at a cost of $2 per pair. These glasses will enhance your eclipse viewing experience and allow you to safely witness this extraordinary event.

How to Schedule

Private group tours can be scheduled by appointment for daytime hours Monday-Sunday as well as evening tours Tuesday-Thursday. Here’s what to do:

Please email holcombobservatory@butler.edu with:

Your organization’s name
Dates and times you are interested in
Number of anticipated guests
A cell number as an emergency contact
Choose a planetarium show from our list of full dome planetarium programs and include the title of the show you would prefer in your email. Note that most of our shows also are accompanied by educators’ guides. If you would like to choose later, please indicate that in your email.

Payment is made at the time of the tour. The cost is a minimum of $99, with $3 per extra person over 33 patrons payable by cash, credit card, or check made out to the Holcomb Observatory. If paying by credit card, please have it with you to avoid an additional 3.5% transaction fee. Group tours are limited to 50 guests at a time in the planetarium. For larger groups, please provide that information in your request so we can plan accordingly. A student to adult ratio of 15:1 is recommended for all group visits to maintain quietness during the tour. One person / representative of your group should be responsible for the group’s payment. This payment should be given to the tour docent upon your arrival.

For accessibility information or to request disability-related accommodations, please visit butler.edu/event-accommodations.

Explore Our Full Dome Planetarium Shows

Visitors will enjoy an hour-long tour consisting of a 3D immersive full dome planetarium program, an interactive seasonal star planetarium show, a tour of the lobby with explanations of the symbols on the terrazzo lobby floor and the stair railing, along with a visit to the telescope dome. In the telescope dome the guide will explain and demonstrate the operation of the Holcomb Telescope. If your tour is scheduled after sunset you’ll get a chance to look through the telescope if weather conditions permit.

From 2018 to early 2019 the planetarium underwent a $250,000 renovation. It had its old Spitz AP3 star projector replaced with a fulldome Digitarium Kappa projector that projects more that 4 million pixels onto the dome of the planetarium which gives visitors a fully immersive 3D experience in addition to nicely rendering the night sky. Beside the new projector, new comfortable theater seating, a 5.1 surround sound system, new carpet, and cove lighting were added to enhance your experience with the help of our corporate partner Indianapolis-based Bowen Technovation. In addition to the planetarium from 2013 to 2015 our large telescope underwent a $425,000 refurbishment by Astronomical Consultants and Equipment with a grant from the Silicon Valley Community Foundation via Frank Levinson, PhD.

To prepare for the tour first choose a full dome planetarium show from this list of shows. Many of these shows come with educational guides. The Sun and planets are typically included in the planetarium presentation. To prepare yourself for the planetarium seasonal star show it is suggested that you look at the star chart and current night sky pages. To learn about the telescopes at Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium, look at our history and telescope page.

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 $25.00 per tour. If the need arises and you must cancel your tour reservation, please email holcombobservatory@butler.edu at least two business days in advance to avoid the service fee. Returned checks will be charged a service fee of $20.00. Group leaders should collect the appropriate admission fee from the group members in advance. Payment can be made either by cash, credit card, or check made out to J. I. Holcomb Observatory at the door. Payment 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 Meridian Street (Butler University Campus Map). Patrons can utilize our parking garage for a fee or park in the Hinkle Fieldhouse lot at no charge (provided no sports or special event is scheduled).

For accessibility information or to request disability-related accommodations, please visit butler.edu/event-accommodations. Wheelchair accessibility is available in the planetarium, lobby, restroom area only. There are three sets of steps to get to the telescope. No elevator is available to the dome where the 38-inch telescope is located.

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