Explore Oakland’s Chabot Space and Science Center

Chabot Space and Science Center in Oakland. Chabot Space and Science Center in Oakland. Photo: Stephanie Wright Hession Photo: Stephanie Wright Hession Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Explore Oakland’s Chabot Space and Science Center 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

In the hills of Oakland, the Chabot Space and Science Center sits atop 13 acres in Redwood Regional Park. Through the observatories, planetarium and interactive exhibits in its 86,000-square-foot complex, this nonprofit institution teaches visitors about the astronomical, earth, environmental and life sciences.

It all started in 1883, when hydraulic engineer Anthony Chabot donated an 8-inch Alvan Clark refracting telescope named Leah and established an observatory on Oakland’s Lafayette Square.

Today, Leah remains in operation and has enabled stargazers to see wonders such as the Whirlpool Galaxy, a spiral galaxy renowned for its brilliance. This antique object is one of three telescopes that includes Rachel — a 20-inch Warner & Swasey refracting telescope dating to 1915 — and Nellie, a modern 36-inch reflecting telescope that provides views of Jupiter, comets and more.

Some of the most engaging, interactive exhibits at the center offer perspectives on the experience of being an astronaut. “Beyond Blastoff: Living in Space” helps convey the daily routines of astronauts working on the International Space Station. Displays include a Russian version of an extravehicular activity space suit and a Soyuz descent module. It also covers practical matters such as eating in space and the ways astronauts deal with challenges such as long periods of weightlessness, which weakens muscles and bones.

At “One Giant Leap: A Moon Odyssey,” test your skills from inside a copy of an Apollo Lunar Lander simulator and take the controls of thruster rockets to attempt a safe landing on the moon from 3,000 feet above its surface.

Or get a sense of the tight quarters astronauts from the Mercury missions traveled within by climbing into a replica of a Mercury capsule.

These pioneering flights during the early 1960s increased knowledge about the fundamentals of spaceflight: getting an astronaut into orbit, steering a spacecraft, keeping humans alive in space and landing safely.

There’s also a 3.3-billion-year-old piece of mare basalt rock brought back from the moon by Apollo 15 astronauts, and the planetarium presents a variety of programs. On Friday and Saturday evenings, watch “Year of the Dwarf Planet,” a live show about Pluto and Ceres. Or go retro with “ElectroLaze Pink Floyd: The Dark Side of the Moon,” a laser light show based upon the band’s iconic 1973 album. Its next showing is scheduled for 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2.

Chabot Space and Science Center: Center will close at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 1, but observatory deck open will be open from 7 to 10 p.m. 10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland. (510) 336-7300. www.chabotspace.org.

Stephanie Wright Hession is an arts, culture and travel writer and photographer. Instagram: @stephaniewrighthession Blog: www.bayareaarts.blogspot.com