Cranbrook’s new Observatory offers access to the only research-grade telescopes regularly open to the public in the Midwest. Three new telescopes, architectural redesign and upgrades in the viewing space, a new dome, and direct compatibility with the planetarium create an entirely new experience in celestial studies.

The main telescope, a remote controllable 20-inch CDK system, partners with a 6-inch Takahashi
Refractor. A solar telescope enables real-time viewing of the Sun. In addition high quality CCD image cameras enable direct recording and conversion of images into digital photos for use on the planetarium dome. The Observatory will be open during expanded hours for daytime tours December 26, 27, 28 and 29 from 1 to 4 p.m., and for nighttime viewing December 28 and 29 from 8:30 to 10 p.m.

The Institute also offers free-with-admission experiences both indoors and outdoors from 1 to 4pm each day December 26-30. Visitors will explore the local evidence for an ice age climate by seeing and touching 14,000 year old ice age fossils from the Institute’s collections, including mastodon and mammoth bones, teeth and tusks from southeast Michigan, and real mammoth hair from Siberia. How the people and animals living in the Arctic have adapted to their chilly environment will be demonstrated and visitors can try on a pair of Inuit snow goggles and make a pair to take home! Outdoors, visitors will gather around a cheerful fire in Cranbrook’s newly relocated and rebuilt wigwam to study pelts and tools from Michigan’s fur trade era while hearing traditional stories from the Native Peoples and settlers of the Great Lakes that speak of the danger and beauty of winter in Michigan. Daily planetarium and Bat Zone programs also will be offered.

Investigating Michigan’s Winter activities are free with admission. There is an additional charge for a bat or planetarium program. Preview planetarium programs here: www.science.cranbrook.edu/explore-institute/planetarium/educational

The Institute’s temporary exhibition Extreme Deep, takes visitors to the depths of the world’s waters to reveal mysterious life forms, shipwrecks like Titanic, and interactives that simulate the experience of underwater research. Highlights include video footage of Great Lakes wrecks viewed through a “glass bottom boat,” an overview of the Great Storm of 1913, and interactives which enable visitors to test their skills at retrieving specimens from the sea floor using mechanical arms, or take over the controls of Alvin, a submersible research vehicle. The centerpiece of the exhibition allows visitors to observe the process of electrolysis being used to remove rust from an 18th Century cannon discovered by the Detroit Police Dive Team in the Detroit River on October 5, 2011. The cannon broke the surface of the water after more than 200 years and is now being conserved at the Institute of Science.

Cranbrook Institute of Science is located at 39221 Woodward Avenue in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

Cranbrook Institute of Science is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with extended hours on Friday and Saturday until 10 p.m. The Observatory is open every Friday and Saturday from 8:30 to 10 p.m., and the first Sunday of the month from 1 to 4 p.m. Museum admission is $12.50 adults, $9.50 children 2-12 and senior citizens (65+); children under 2 and members admitted free. Friday and Saturday evening admission 5 to10 p.m., $5.50 Adults and $4.50 for children ages 2-12 and seniors 65+. Children under 2 and Members are free. Planetarium and bat program tickets are $4 general admission; $3 for CIS and OBC Members; $1 for children under 2. Non-Members must also pay museum admission. For more information about becoming a Member of Cranbrook Institute of Science call (248) 645-3200 or visit www.science.cranbrook.edu>.