Private Tours

LIGO Hanford Observatory is pleased to announce that it is once again taking requests for private tours under the following condition:

• All visitors will be expected to follow LIGO's policy on masking as it stands on the day of the tour. Bring a mask just in case it is required on the day of your tour.

Private Tour Information

Groups of 15 or more can schedule a private weekday tour of the observatory. We have provided such tours to a wide range of groups, including families, college organizations, teachers, conference attendees, scout troops, science clubs, and colleagues from other scientific research facilities such as PNNL. If you have a group of 15 or more that is interested in seeing LIGO, a private tour may be right for you. Please allow up to 2 weeks for us to process your request.

What will I see?

During your visit you will have a chance to explore many interactive and static exhibits housed in LHO's new LIGO Exploration Center, (LExC). All of the artifacts that used to reside in the lobby of LHO's small visitor reception building are now housed in LExC, including the historic Weber Bar (one of the earliest devices designed to detect gravitational waves) and a full-scale engineering model of LIGO's quad suspension, a remarkable feat of engineering critical to LIGO's success. You will also get an extraordinary view of the interferometer's 4km-long arms reaching into the Eastern Washington shrub steppe, get up close to a sample of the beam tube and its concrete enclosure, and visit the interferometer's control room where you will learn more about LIGO directly from the people who maintain and operate the world's most sensitive measuring device. Questions enthusiastically welcome!

To schedule a private tour fill out the form below:

If you have any questions, email outreach@ligo-wa.caltech.edu, or call 509-372-8248.