The Backyard Astronomer

The Backyard Astronomer · Travel journal

Astronomy Around the World

A personal photo journal of our travels to observatories, museums, and places connected to astronomy and space exploration—from Northern Arizona to destinations farther afield.

Explore our destinations using the photo cards below.

Choose a region to zoom in. Select a photo pin to explore a destination, or browse its gallery below.

1. Griffith ObservatoryLos Angeles, California · 5 photos2. California Science CenterLos Angeles, California · 12 photos3. Lowell ObservatoryFlagstaff, Arizona · 21 photos4. Lowell Discovery TelescopeHappy Jack, Arizona · 12 photos5. Meteor CraterNorthern Arizona · 5 photos6. Cape CanaveralFlorida, USA · 24 photos7. Blackrock CastleCork, Ireland · 7 photos8. LondonEngland · 15 photos9. FlorenceItaly · 14 photos10. ERAU PlanetariumPrescott, Arizona · 2 photos & interview11. Navy Precision Optical InterferometerAnderson Mesa, Arizona · 1 photo12. JapanTokyo & Narita · 4 photos

Japan · Light, Motion & Wonder

Tokyo & Narita · October 2026

Astronomy has a way of following us on our travels. At Tokyo DisneySea, an orrery—a mechanical model of the solar system—brings planetary motion down to human scale beneath a painted celestial ceiling. At teamLab Planets, immersive digital art surrounds us with light and a sense of seemingly endless space. And above the rooftops of Narita Shinsho-ji Temple, the Moon offers a familiar sight far from home.

Orrery and painted celestial ceiling at Tokyo DisneySea
Tokyo DisneySea · A solar system in miniature
Glowing red and orange digital artwork at teamLab Planets in Tokyo
teamLab Planets · Light in motion
A visitor surrounded by star-like points of light at teamLab Planets
teamLab Planets · An immersive field of light
The Moon above the rooftops of Narita Shinsho-ji Temple at dusk
Narita Shinsho-ji Temple · The Moon above the temple rooftops

Navy Precision Optical Interferometer

Anderson Mesa, Arizona · A closer look at research astronomy

Our tour photo captures a visit to the Navy Precision Optical Interferometer (NPOI) at Anderson Mesa near Flagstaff. This telescope array combines light from separated observing stations for high-resolution measurements of stars.

Visitors tour the Navy Precision Optical Interferometer’s observing stations at Anderson Mesa

Learn about Lowell’s Anderson Mesa research site → · Explore the U.S. Naval Observatory’s research →

More Arizona astronomy destinations →

ERAU · Jim and Linda Lee Planetarium

Prescott, Arizona · A local connection to the wider universe

The Jim and Linda Lee Planetarium at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is part of our astronomy story here in Prescott. Explore our visit through these photos, then meet planetarium director Eric Edelman in our video interview and podcast conversation.

Jim and Linda Lee Planetarium and STEM Education Center at ERAU in Prescott

Watch our Eric Edelman interview → · Listen to E.05 — Eric Edelman and Planetariums! →

A host and collaborator in NameExoWorlds

ERAU hosted our NameExoWorlds public event, and members of its staff and student community were part of our team. The original Team Hunter account documents the planetarium presentations, audience discussion, and the people involved.

ERAU’s Golden Eagle mascot adds a personal connection to Awohali, the Cherokee name for eagle in our Noquisi and Awohali story. The university connection and the Cherokee naming account each have their own history; together they show how this project brought our local community into a global astronomy initiative.

Explore Indigenous Astronomy and Noquisi & Awohali → · Read the original Team Hunter account → · Read the original Team Eagle account →

STEM around the planetarium

ERAU helicopter display inside the STEM building

Visit ERAU’s official planetarium page for current shows and visitor information →

More Arizona STEM and outreach →

Florence, Italy

Museo Galileo · Basilica de Santa Croce · Villa Galileo

More photos from Florence (8)

London, England

Greenwich Royal Observatory · Westminster Abbey

More photos from London (9)

Blackrock Castle, Ireland

Blackrock Castle Observatory

More photos from Blackrock Castle (1)

Cape Canaveral, Florida

Kennedy Space Center

Adam with Space Shuttle Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center
Space Shuttle Atlantis on display at Kennedy Space Center
Spacesuit exhibit at Kennedy Space Center
More photos from Cape Canaveral (15)

Lowell Observatory · Mars Hill

Flagstaff, Arizona · Historic telescopes, instruments, and memories from Lowell Observatory’s Flagstaff campus.

Entrance to Percival Lowell’s mausoleum at Lowell Observatory
Inscription at Percival Lowell’s mausoleum
More photos from Lowell Observatory (13)

Lowell Discovery Telescope

Happy Jack, Arizona · Our visit to the large research telescope near Happy Jack, formerly known as the Discovery Channel Telescope.

Lowell Discovery Telescope building in Happy Jack
Instrument detail inside the Lowell Discovery Telescope
More photos from Lowell Discovery Telescope (4)

Meteor Crater

Northern Arizona · Crater views and meteorite exhibits from our Northern Arizona visit.

Our group beside the Welcome to Meteor Crater sign

Related conversation: rocks from space

Continue exploring meteorites with recovery scientist Robert Ward. Our separate interview offers another way to connect the rocks we encounter on Earth with their origins in space.

Watch or listen to Robert Ward

More from Northern Arizona

Griffith Observatory

Los Angeles, California · Our visit to Griffith Observatory, from the grounds to the planetarium and telescope.

California Science Center & Endeavour

Los Angeles, California · Spacecraft exhibits and our visit with space shuttle Endeavour at the California Science Center.

A young visitor beside Space Shuttle Endeavour at California Science Center
The nose of Space Shuttle Endeavour
More photos from California Science Center (4)