As Yerkes has become a space at the confluence of culture, art, and science, we have so much going on. From our speaker series to our roster of tours to our star parties, keep up to date by getting on our email list, following us on social media, and visiting us in person. We're forever evolving into a place of diverse programs for kids and adults alike. Writers, artists, sculptors, photographers, musicians, engineers, chemists, tech innovators, and astronomers are collaborating to understand how science inspires the arts and how the arts inspire cosmic discovery. We're eager to work together at this epicenter of BIG IDEAS. What was a dormant institution a couple years ago and a construction site under full restoration just last year is now a vibrant place filled with enthusiasm, focus, and new voices in conversation. Discover what’s happening in Cobb & Hale's three domes and the junction of Olmsted ellipses. More importantly, discover how you can tap into the energy.
Join us for our final open house of 2025 on Saturday, October 4 from 6pm – 8pm! We are celebrating International Observe the Moon Night, which is an annual world-wide program that encourages observation, appreciation, and understanding of our Moon and its connection to NASA planetary science and exploration. We’re thrilled to be joined by…
A new era of discovery has begun at Yerkes Observatory. The Yerkes Future Foundation (YFF), the nonprofit that assumed stewardship of the landmark observatory in 2020, is now the official owner of one of the world’s largest collections of astronomical glass plates: 180,000 fragile time capsules of starlight and scientific data captured between 1900 and…
Join us for our yearly Perseids Meteor Shower open house on Friday, August 15 from 7:30pm – 9:30pm! We’re thrilled to be joined by our friends at Lake County Astronomical Society and Adler Planetarium, who are volunteering their time to provide observing outside on our South Lawn if clear and hands-on activities inside the building….
Yerkes Observatory advances humankind’s understanding of the universe and our place within it, igniting curiosity, facilitating exploration, and nurturing a deep sense of connection with our planet and each other. Our vision for Yerkes Observatory is to bring together science, the arts and landscape. Thus we are concerned that the decades-long legacy of public support…
Exploring the Night Sky with the Great Refractor tour tickets for Fall 2025 are available now on our ticketing website! With only a small number of tickets available for each tour, this exclusive evening illuminates the inner-workings of Yerkes Observatory after dark. Curated by our Astronomy Team, each tour features a viewing of the cosmos…