Talcott Mountain Science Center

Talcott Mountain Science Center sits atop Talcott Mountain in Avon, Connecticut, pairing an observatory and planetarium with hands-on science education for students, teachers, and the public.

About Talcott Mountain Science Center

Founded in 1967 under a U.S. Department of Education program, the center is a nonprofit dedicated to improving science education. Today it runs an academy, research institute, and public science programs covering astronomy, ecology, geology, meteorology, and robotics.

Telescopes & research

The center's observatory opened a dedicated facility with a 12-inch telescope in 2017. Its sky domes also house a 16-inch Meade telescope, a 12-inch Tinsley, and a 17-inch Dobsonian, alongside a 44-foot tilted-dome multimedia planetarium used for public and school shows.

Location & getting there

The center sits on top of Talcott Mountain in Avon, Connecticut, commanding an unobstructed view over roughly 5,000 square miles of surrounding countryside, a vantage point that also makes it a strong spot for night-sky observing.

Visiting Talcott Mountain Science Center

Public viewing sessions are scheduled around notable celestial events, and private viewings can be arranged for groups of 20 or more. Check the official website for current program dates and booking details before you go.

See your named star from here

With telescopes already trained on the sky, Talcott Mountain is a great place to think about your own star. A name from Star Register comes with exact coordinates any telescope can use to find it, here or elsewhere. Browse our packages or the catalogue.