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As the 50th anniversary of the moon landing brings renewed interest in space and recent headlines stir curiosity, you don’t need a rocket ticket or a covert mission to experience the wonder of the cosmos. Add a celestial touch to your next trip with visits to these seven space-focused destinations around the world, from desert research stations to world-class observatories. © Irina Kozhemyakina | Dreamstime.com -
For anyone intrigued by the search for extraterrestrial signals, the Very Large Array in New Mexico is a must-see. This impressive radio telescope complex offers self-guided tours that explain how giant dish antennas collect radio waves from across the universe, revealing phenomena invisible to optical telescopes. © Palms | Dreamstime.com
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A convenient stop for Los Angeles visitors, the Griffith Observatory combines spectacular city views with public astronomy. Inside, the Samuel Oschin Planetarium presents frequent shows and daily programming that make astronomy accessible and entertaining for all ages. © Ellen Golla | Dreamstime.com
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If you’re curious about life on the Red Planet, visit the Mars Desert Research Station in Utah. Modeled to simulate Martian living conditions, the station gives visitors a glimpse into the challenges and routines of astronauts and researchers; public access is generally available during the summer months. © Irina Kozhemyakina | Dreamstime.com
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For travelers who prefer to gaze at the stars rather than study the science behind them, visiting an International Dark Sky Park is an unforgettable experience. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in California is one of the newer dark sky sites in the United States and offers expansive, low-light skies ideal for stargazing. © Kevin Key | Dreamstime.com
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If your travels take you to Kazakhstan, consider a guided tour of the Baikonur Cosmodrome. As the world’s oldest active launch facility, Baikonur offers a rare look into spaceflight history, including museums and rocket preparation areas that highlight decades of exploration. © Igor Ovsyannikov | Dreamstime.com
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Star City, the former Soviet cosmonaut training complex, is available by tour and offers a fascinating look at Cold War-era space training. This compact community contains a museum with thousands of artifacts, plus preserved facilities that illustrate how cosmonauts prepared for missions. © Peter Sobolev | Dreamstime.com
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On the Canary Islands, Roque de los Muchachos Observatory sits within Caldera National Park and hosts one of the largest collections of telescopes in the world. Guided visits let guests view the inner workings of major instruments and learn how astronomers collect data from distant stars and galaxies. © Eric Gevaert | dreamstime.com
