ORLANDO, Fla. — For those who want to explore our neighboring planets but can’t afford a trip on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, the Orlando Science Center has a fun and closer alternative.

Continuing until early March, the Orlando Science Center has been hosting its Observatory & Planetarium tour. Well into its third year, it is designed to give visitors the time, and space, to explore the cosmos at their own pace, said Spencer Jones, manager of Public Programs at the Orlando Science Center.

“The private tours began as a way to offer a deeper experience than what we were historically capable of providing,” he said. “Over the hour, guests are able to explore the observatory and view anything in the sky that night. They also get a private planetarium show that allows them to get up close and personal with astronomical objects throughout the universe.”

Jones said there are two types of tours to choose from: The first one is called the observatory, where the focus is how telescopes work. People will have time to be with one of the center’s astronomy presenters. In addition, there will be different telescopes with different focal lengths and apertures to explore the heavens.

“Assuming weather conditions are good, we'll be using our scopes to view whatever is available! The specific objects visible depend on the night and time that people are viewing. I can assure you that this winter is a good one for observing,” Jones said. “We've got the favorites, Saturn and Jupiter, in addition to the standard winter-sky objects like the Orion Nebula.”

Learn about telescopes in this great beginner’s guide video down below.

In fact, people can use their smartphones to capture some of the best photos possible when using the telescopes, Jones advised.

The second type of tour will be the private planetarium show inside the center’s inflatable dome, which is 15 feet across and can hold up to about 20 people, allowing stargazers to be a few feet away from the screen.

“This proximity creates an awesome, intimate connection with the objects you can view. Best of all, the experience is customizable, so it's up to the guests on what they want to see! We aren't limited to the what the actual sky provides, so we can take requests,” he explained.

Jones hopes that people who participate in the two different tours will walk away with a better experience of the night sky.

“Whether it's the wonder you feel when seeing Saturn through a telescope or the awe you experience when flying through the Milky Way in our planetarium, we just want people to leave with a deeper connection to space,” he said, adding, “These private experiences in our observatory really bring the universe directly to you. It’s like enjoying a private showing of the greatest views in the night sky, both over Orlando and beyond.”

Go to the center's website to learn more about times and fees.

Learning about telescopes