Observatory

For other uses, see Observatory (Disambiguation).

The Observatory is a room in Metroid Prime in the Phendrana Drifts. It is a large, tall, cylindrical room of Space Pirate construction, containing an astronomical holographic projector representing the FS-176 System. There are many ledges around the edges, wires across the floor and computer screens at the far side from the door to Observatory Access; here, Samus can add two Pirate Data scans to the Log Book.

After defeating the Space Pirates in the room, an Interface Module is activated near the computer screens; scanning this activates a Bomb Slot. Another Bomb Slot is made available to use once a Bomb is detonated inside the first; and this is used to make the four Spinners around the floor usable. After using the Boost Ball to lower each of these, the projection appears, and Samus may scan the holographic representations of the planets Zebes and Tallon IV. This also makes access to the upper doors possible, via the many ledges around the walls, and the Super Missile is found near them.

Once the Thermal Visor has been collected, this room is darker; the only light comes from the holographic projection.

Connecting rooms

Inhabitants

First visit

5 Space Pirates

Later

2 Space Pirates

Items

Super missile pickup prime 1 — The Super Missile is obtained in this room.

Super Missile: To reach it, Samus must utilize the Bomb Slots and Spinners in the room to align a simple ladder of platforms around the edges. This allows her to reach the Super Missile, which is located at the very top, in plain sight.

Scans

Interface Module: "Holographic sequence initialized."
Terminal (deactivated): "Holographic spatial schematic is in lockdown per security directive 2.23.445."
Terminal (reactivated): "Holographic map coordinate data has been updated successfully."
Upper panel: "Upper node of astronomical holographic projector is retracted and inactive."
Lower panel (deactivated): "Lower node of astronomical holographic projector. Currently deactivated."
Lower node (reactivated): "Lower node of astronomical holographic projector functioning normally."
Extensions: "Holographic projector extensions are currently inactive and need to be manually rotated. Use the Spinners at the base of the projector to move the arms into place."
Spinner (inactive): "This device is currently not active."
Contact: "Scans of the Spiral Sector detected a massive energy pike emanating from a Wanderer-class planet identified as Tallon IV. Scout reconnaissance was immediately dispatched to the center of the spike, a land mass at the heading mark 40.08.08, returning with planetary samples and atmospheric imaging. Analysis shows the energy source to be and unstable radioactive material of enormous potential. We are unable to form an accurate risk-assessment at this time, but we are unlikely to find an energy source this powerful again. Analysis will continue but currently Tallon IV appears to be a viable secondary headquarters."
Phazon Program: "Phazon mining is under way. Several garrisons have been established and terraforming of the Chozo Ruins is under way. Security systems are operational, and Science Team continues to make progress in their biotech research. The Phendrana Drifts have proven to be an optimal location of Research Headquarters, and soon it will be joined by a fully operation Combat base and starport. If Command's predictions are half true, we shall rise dominant of this sector within a deca-cycle. Truly, these are glorious times."
Bilium: "Planet Bilium; Mass: 3.8 trillion teratons.

Profile: QUARANTINE

Atmosphere is rife with Miteralis, a sentient gaseous Global Exterminator virus."

Oormine II: "Planet Oormine II; Mass: 2.3 trillion teratons.

Profile: An uninhabitable wasteland savaged by nuclear dust storms and constant seismic upheavals."

Twin Tabula: "Planet Twin Tabula; Mass: 4.1 trillion teratons.

Profile: Planet is best known for 'Twin Fever', a disease caused by a viral strain native to Twin Tabula. In the early stages of the disease, victims suffer from double vision. When the 'twin sight' fades, the victim is near death."

Zebes: "Planet Zebes; Mass: 4.8 trillion teratons.

Profile: Planet's crust is primarily Urthic ore, making it ideal for subterranean construction. A class XIX planet, Zebes is inhospitable to most bioforms. The world was considered unremarkable until it became a base for Space Pirate forces."

Tallon IV: "Planet Tallon IV; Mass: 5.1 trillion teratons.

Profile: Ecosystem studies indicate that Tallon IV was a biological paradise prior to the impact of an extraterrestrial object. What remains of the biosphere is slowly fading due to exposure to Phazon radiation. At current rate of decay, Tallon IV will be a barren Class XIII wasteland in approximately 25 years."

Trivia

Right after gaining the Super Missile, a bizarre effect can be created. There are two doors on opposite sides of the room accessable from the top of the platform where the Super Missile is obtained. One door has a Missile Door Lock and the other can be opened only with the Wave Beam. If Samus switches to the Power Beam and fires a shot at either door, the shot will bounce off the door, only to bounce off the second door and return. Hitting the first door a second time causes the shot to disappear. Using this effect, Samus can create several "lines" of Power Beam shots bouncing back and forth. This trick has no visible positive or negative effects on the game. It can be seen in the below video from the beginning to 1:10. This also happens in Transport to Phendrana Drifts South and Reflecting Pool. [1]
A variant of the Energy Core theme plays in this room during the puzzle.

Metroid Samus Returns Area 7 Observatory - Baby & Samus (Chozo Laboratory) — Samus and the baby in Area 7's holographic observatory in *Metroid: Samus Returns*

A Hidden World can be found in this room: [2]
The room's layout, name and purpose are very similar to that of the Chozo Observatory in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption.
In Metroid: Samus Returns, a similar observatory created by the Chozo can be seen in the background of Area 7. Interestingly, the facility this observatory is found in is also implied to be where the Chozo created the Metroids and contains cold snowy sections.

Gallery

Rooms in Metroid Prime
Frigate Orpheon	Exterior Docking Hangar • Main Docking Bay • Air Lock • Deck Alpha Access Hall • Emergency Evacuation Area • Deck Alpha Umbilical Hall • Map Facility • Connection Elevator to Deck Beta • Deck Beta Conduit Hall • Biotech Research Area 1 • Deck Beta Security Hall • Biohazard Containment • Deck Beta Transit Hall • Cargo Freight Lift to Deck Gamma • Reactor Core Entrance Save Station • Reactor Core Deck Gamma Monitor Hall • Connection Elevator to Deck Beta • Subventilation Shaft Section A • Subventilation Shaft Section B • Main Ventilation Shaft Section A • Main Ventilation Shaft Section B • Main Ventilation Shaft Section C • Main Ventilation Shaft Section D • Main Ventilation Shaft Section E • Main Ventilation Shaft Section F • Biotech Research Area 2 • Connection Elevator to Deck Alpha • Deck Alpha Mech Shaft
Tallon Overworld	Landing Site • Canyon Cavern • Tallon Canyon • Transport Tunnel A • Transport to Chozo Ruins West • Root Tunnel • Root Cave • Arbor Chamber • Transport Tunnel B • Transport to Magmoor Caverns East • Gully • Alcove • Waterfall Cavern Temple Hall • Temple Security Station • Temple Lobby • Artifact Temple Frigate Crash Site • Overgrown Cavern • Transport Tunnel C • Transport to Chozo Ruins East • Frigate Access Tunnel • Main Ventilation Shaft Section C • Main Ventilation Shaft Section B • Main Ventilation Shaft Section A • Reactor Core • Reactor Access • Save Station • Cargo Freight Lift to Deck Gamma • Deck Beta Transit Hall • Biohazard Containment • Deck Beta Security Hall • Biotech Research Area 1 • Deck Beta Conduit Hall • Connection Elevator to Deck Beta • Hydro Access Tunnel Great Tree Hall • Great Tree Chamber • Transport to Chozo Ruins South • Transport Tunnel D • Transport Tunnel E • Transport to Phazon Mines East • Life Grove Tunnel • Life Grove
Chozo Ruins	Transport to Tallon Overworld North • Ruins Entrance • Main Plaza • Nursery Access • Eyon Tunnel • Ruined Nursery • Save Station 1 • North Atrium • Ruined Gallery • Map Station • Totem Access • Hive Totem • Transport Access North • Transport to Magmoor Caverns North • Vault Access • Vault • Plaza Access • Ruined Shrine Access • Ruined Shrine • Tower of Light Access •Tower of Light • Tower Chamber • Ruined Fountain Access • Ruined Fountain • Meditation Fountain • Magma Pool • Training Chamber Access • Training Chamber • Piston Tunnel • Arboretum Access • Sunchamber Lobby • Sunchamber Access • Sunchamber • Sun Tower Access • Sun Tower Arboretum • Gathering Hall Access • Gathering Hall • Save Station 2 • Watery Hall Access • Watery Hall • Dynamo Access • Dynamo • East Atrium • Energy Core Access • Energy Core • Burn Dome Access • Burn Dome • West Furnace Access Furnace • East Furnace Access • Crossway Access West • Crossway • Crossway Access South • Elder Hall Access • Hall of the Elders • Elder Chamber • Reflecting Pool Access • Reflecting Pool • Antechamber • Save Station 3 • Transport to Tallon Overworld East • Transport Access South • Transport to Tallon Overworld South
Magmoor Caverns	Transport to Chozo Ruins North • Burning Trail • Save Station Magmoor A • Lake Tunnel • Lava Lake • Pit Tunnel • Triclops Pit • Storage Cavern • Monitor Tunnel • Monitor Station • Transport Tunnel A • Transport to Phendrana Drifts North • Warrior Shrine • Shore Tunnel • Fiery Shores • Transport Tunnel B • Transport to Tallon Overworld West Twin Fires Tunnel • Twin Fires • North Core Tunnel • Geothermal Core • Plasma Processing • South Core Tunnel • Magmoor Workstation • Workstation Tunnel • Transport Tunnel C • Transport to Phendrana Drifts South • Save Station Magmoor B • Transport to Phazon Mines West
Phendrana Drifts	Transport to Magmoor Caverns West • Shoreline Entrance • Phendrana Shorelines • Save Station B • Ice Ruins Access • Ice Ruins East • Plaza Walkway • Ruins Entryway • Ice Ruins West • Canyon Entryway • Phendrana Canyon • Temple Entryway • Chozo Ice Temple • Chapel Tunnel • Chapel of the Elders Courtyard Entryway • Ruined Courtyard • Save Station A • Specimen Storage • Research Entrance • Map Station • Hydra Lab Entryway • Research Lab Hydra • Observatory Access • Observatory • Save Station D • West Tower Entrance • West Tower • Control Tower • East Tower • Aether Lab Entryway • Research Lab Aether • Research Core Access • Research Core • Quarantine Access • North Quarantine Tunnel • Quarantine Cave • Quarantine Monitor • South Quarantine Tunnel • Transport to Magmoor Caverns South Transport Access • Frozen Pike • Pike Access • Frost Cave Access • Frost Cave • Save Station C • Upper Edge Tunnel • Phendrana's Edge • Storage Cave • Security Cave • Lower Edge Tunnel • Hunter Cave • Lake Tunnel • Gravity Chamber • Chamber Access • Hunter Cave Access
Phazon Mines	Transport to Tallon Overworld South • Quarry Access • Main Quarry • Save Station Mines A • Security Access A • Mine Security Station • Security Access B • Storage Depot A • Elite Research • Research Access • Ore Processing • Elevator Access A • Elevator A • Storage Depot B • Waste Disposal Elite Control Access • Elite Control • Maintenance Tunnel • Ventilation Shaft • Control Room • Omega Research • Map Station Mines • Dynamo Access • Central Dynamo • Save Station Mines B • Quarantine Access A • Metroid Quarantine A • Elevator Access B • Elevator B Fungal Hall Access • Fungal Hall A • Phazon Mining Tunnel • Fungal Hall B • Missile Station Mines • Quarantine Access B • Metroid Quarantine B • Save Station Mines C • Elite Quarters Access • Elite Quarters • Processing Center Access • Phazon Processing Center • Transport Access • Transport to Magmoor Caverns South
Impact Crater	Crater Entry Point • Crater Tunnel A • Phazon Core • Crater Missile Station • Crater Tunnel B • Phazon Infusion Chamber • Subchamber One • Subchamber Two • Subchamber Three • Subchamber Four • Subchamber Five • Metroid Prime Lair
Unused	Engine Room • Reactor Room