Welcome

The Leitner Family Observatory & Planetarium is a facility of the Yale Department of Astronomy dedicated to education, public outreach, and student research.

The planetarium will reopen for public night on Tuesday, August 25. Shows are presented at 7 and 8pm. Seating is first come, first served, so guests are encouraged to arrive 5-10 minutes early.

Outdoor telescope observing will also take place after sunset on Tuesday evenings, weather and clear skies permitting. Be sure to check the announcement banner at the top of the website for the most up-to-date information.

Reservations are not required for public night events.

Now playing at the planetarium

Now Playing

Poster of From Earth to the Universe Planetarium show — From Earth to the Universe

Quick Links

In the News

Apollo 13 astronaut, Fred Haise, gives virtual talk

November 3, 2025

Apollo 13 astronaut, Fred Haise, gave a talk and answered questions about his long career as a pilot.
Monica Ong presents “Planetaria", a live reading & planetarium show

March 26, 2025

Monica Ong presented work from her collection, Planetaria, in an immersive poetry reading she designed for the planetarium experience.
Decades around the sea: Polynesian voyagers to share the art of wayfinding

December 6, 2024
Sun spot: Hundreds watch the solar eclipse at Yale’s observatory

April 8, 2024

Monday’s eclipse-viewing event at Yale’s Leitner Family Observatory and Planetarium was a celebration of science, springtime, and sociability.
From Prospect Street to the ‘path of totality,’ Yalies have eclipse covered

April 4, 2024

Visitors to Yale’s Leitner Family Observatory and Planetarium on Monday, April 8 will see the moon cover 91% of the sun (weather permitting).
Moon shadow: Yale observatory offers viewing for annular solar eclipse

October 12, 2023

Connecticut will experience a partial solar eclipse on Oct. 14 — a prelude to the total solar eclipse that will occur next spring.
Leitner observatory re-opens planetarium theater

February 6, 2023

Yale’s Leitner Family Observatory and Planetarium recently resumed a full schedule of planetarium shows.
Video: Exploring the Planets at Yale’s Observatory

January 10, 2023

SOM students check out the night sky at Yale’s LFOP, with the help of Joandy Pratama ’24, a classmate and astronomy enthusiast.
Solar eclipse offers information, inspiration, and awe

April 17, 2017

The Aug. 21 event will be studied closely by Yale scientists. The public can also view the eclipse at Leitner Observatory.
Transit of Venus - June 6, 2012

June 12, 2012

A crowd gathered at the Leitner Family Observatory and Planetarium to view the last transit of Venus on June 5 and 6, 2012.