FLAGSTAFF, AZ (AZ Family) — After more than ten years of planning, Lowell Observatory The new state-of-the-art discovery center opens its doors this Saturday.

Workers are brimming with anticipation and say it will have a global impact on how people learn astronomy.

Dr. Amanda Bosh is now Lowell’s general manager but became a planetary scientist after changing his degree following a visit to Lowell as a student in 1985.

“That was kind of the beginning of the end for me because at that point I thought that was actually what I was supposed to do,” Bosh said.

Now it will help open the new Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center on Saturday.

“Our goal is to reach and share the wonder of astronomy and science with as many people as possible,” Bosh said.

The building is three stories, 400,000 square feet and cost over $53 million.

according to Night Sky TouristAstro-tourism is expected to generate $5.8 billion in revenue over the next decade Colorado Plateau and we will create tens of thousands of jobs over the next 10 years.

Lowell historian Kevin Schindler He says the new facility is unique to Arizona and the world.

“This state-of-the-art science center sits atop a research facility that has been communicating science for 130 years,” he said.

The new center features a two-story, 160-degree theater screen, rooftop dark sky planetarium and interactive exhibits.

There’s also a wonderland for kids that’s unlike anything in Northern Arizona.

The goal is not only to increase astrotourism in the High Country, but to inspire people of all ages to aim for the stars.

“Not everyone who comes here is necessarily an astronomer, but that would be really cool,” Bosh said. “People have a better understanding of the scientific process of how we know what we know.”

The official opening and ribbon cutting will begin at 10:30 on Saturday morning, and events and speakers, including an astronaut, will be held throughout the day.

You can visit Lowell’s to learn more about the opening and new headquarters. website is here.

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