Chabot Space & Science Center

About

Chabot Space & Science Center sits on a forested hillside in Oakland's Joaquin Miller Park, offering one of the Bay Area's most immersive science learning experiences. Founded in 1883, the center combines a world-class planetarium, an observatory with three permanently mounted research-grade telescopes, and thousands of square feet of interactive exhibits. The 241-seat MegaDome Theater presents planetarium shows and giant-screen films covering topics from the cosmos to Earth's deep oceans. The center's three public telescopes—a 20-inch refractor, a 24-inch reflector, and a 36-inch reflector—are among the largest regularly available to the public in the western United States, with live viewing offered on Friday and Saturday evenings. Exhibits span astronomy, space exploration, Earth and life sciences, and hands-on engineering challenges. The Challenger Learning Center provides mission simulations where student teams work together to solve problems as if on a real space mission—a powerful experiential learning program for school groups. Chabot offers extensive education programs including field trips, summer camps, school programs, and public workshops. The center is an ACM-affiliated science museum and a key resource for Bay Area students and families curious about space and science.

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