Observatories in Arizona

Observatories are home to some of the biggest and most impressive telescopes in the world. As many amateur astronomers know, there are many ways to experience the night sky beyond looking through a home telescope observatory in your own backyard. Arizona has an impressive number of observatories that offer a wide variety of star parties, tours and observatory programs that will expand your knowledge of astronomy. Whether you’re new to astronomy or have been in the hobby for years, Arizona observatories will are sure to spark in you a true love of the night sky.

For your convenience, we have compiled an alphabetical list of observatories in Arizona that offer programs for the public.

Apache-Sitgreaves Observatory

The Apache-Sitgreaves Observatory, located in Overgaard, Arizona, is operated by the Apache-Sitgreaves Research Center. With a mission to introduce astronomy and the wonders of the universe to visitors, this observatory offers the largest public observing telescope in Arizona!

Embry-Riddle Prescott Observatory Complex

The Embry-Riddle Prescott Observatory Complex, ranked among the nation’s top college astronomy observatories, is in beautiful Prescott, Arizona. This observatory consists of the Optical Observatory as well as the Radio Observatory and gives students the opportunity to conduct research and work on student projects.

Visiting

For those wishing to visit the facility in person, call (928) 777-600 or (800) 888-3728 or email [email protected]. A virtual tour of the observatories is also available.

Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatories

The Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory is a field installation of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory located near Amado, Arizona on Mount Hopkins. The observatory operates on three different elevations. From the top of Mount Hopkins down, it goes as follows: “The Summit” at an elevation of 8,585 feet, “The Ridge” at 7,800 feet and the Visitor Center Area at 4,230 feet.

Telescopes

The Summit

The 6.5m MMT (256 inch) telescope is used for the solar system, galactic and extragalactic astronomy. This is a facility that is jointly operated by the University of Arizona.

Visiting

The Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory is open 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Exhibits include models of the original 4.5m and a converted 6.5m Multiple Mirror Telescope, a three-dimensional model of galaxy distribution in the universe, and a touchable topographical map of the Santa Rita Mountains.

If you would like to tour the observatories, guided tours are offered on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from mid-March through November. Tours start at the Visitor’s Center at 8:30 p.m., a presentation starts at 9 a.m., and a bus leaves at 9:30 a.m., returning at 3:30 p.m. Reservations are required to go on this tour.

There is also a Green Valley Public Lecture Series that takes place during the winter in Green Valley, Arizona.

Governor Aker Observatory

The dome of the Governor Aker Observatory was donated by the University of Arizona and has since been maintained by Eastern Arizona College. Located in Safford, Arizona, this fantastic observatory is part of the college’s Discovery Park Campus.

Kitt Peak National Observatories

Home to one the world’s largest arrays of optical and radio telescopes, Kitt Peak National Observatory encompasses many different types and sizes of telescopes.

This program is open seven nights a week throughout much of the year, the exception being July 15th through August 31st.

Reservations are required.

Dark Sky Discovery Program

This program is intended for a small audience of individuals that are 14 years and older, and is offered on nights with relatively little moonlight for telescope viewing of deep sky objects. It begins with a group orientation and a small supper in the Visitor Center. This is followed by a viewing of the sunset and afterwards, the group will proceed to a telescope for a more intimate group viewing.

Night of the Marvelous Moon

The Night of the Marvelous Moon is a program intended for a small audience and is recommended for viewers 14 years or older. It is offered on nights when the moon is exceptionally bright. Like the other two programs, it begins with a group orientation, a light supper, and a sunset viewing. Once the sun is down, smaller groups of 10 or fewer will be taken by a guide for an immersive telescope viewing experience of the moon.

Overnight Telescope Observing Program

Perhaps the most immersive program offered at Kitt Peak is a private, overnight telescope observing program. It includes exclusive use of one of the Visitor Center’s research-grade telescopes and a personalized program driven by the group’s interests and goals. Participants can observe through the telescope, take astro-images using a Webcam, DSLR, or CCD camera, or do a combination of both.

Three meals are included, as are assigned dormitory rooms. Reservations must be made at least 30 days in advance and it is not offered July through August.

Arizona Radio Observatory

This radio observatory has two radio telescopes located on Kitt Peak, just southwest of Tucson and Mt. Graham in Safford, Arizona.

Radio Telescopes

The first of the two radio telescopes is the 12 M Alma Prototype Telescope located at Kitt Peak, and the second is the Submillimeter Telescope at Mt. Graham.

Visiting

The Arizona Radio Observatory visiting offices are centrally located in the Steward Observatory building on the University of Arizona campus in Tucson, Arizona.

Lowell Observatory

The Lowell Observatory is in Flagstaff, Arizona. It was founded by Percival Lowell in 1894. He was a wealthy businessman, mathematician and astronomer from Boston. Since then, the Lowell Observatory has been recognized as a Registered National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service. It has also been recognized as an Arizona Treasure by Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano. The previous First Lady, Hillary Clinton, even included the observatory in her Save America’s Treasures program. As if those honors weren’t enough, in 2011, the observatory gained more prestige when it was named one of “The World’s 100 Most Important Places.”

Below is a sampling of the programs and exhibits listed when we visited the site:

• The Solar Program explores the sun with a specially-equipped solar telescope and is normally scheduled for 10 a.m., 1 p.m., and 4 p.m.
• The Daytime Guided Tours consist of “The Story of Pluto” at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and “The Lowell Tour” which features the renowned 24-inch Clark Refracting Telescope (built in 1869 and still used today), at noon and 3 p.m.
• The Rotunda Museum, which was completed in 1916 and houses some of the precious artifacts from Lowell Observatory history.
• The Putnam Collection Center Open House, an exhibit only open 1-2 p.m. Monday through Saturday. This exhibit features Percival Lowell’s 1911 Steven-Duryea automobile and other historic artifacts.
• The Flyby, which offers visitors a chance to learn about the highlights of NASA’s New Horizons Mission that flew by Pluto on July 15th, 2015. It takes place nightly at 7 p.m., excluding Sunday.
• Lunar Legacy is an exhibit that highlights important lunar maps made by joint efforts between artists and scientists. It will run through the end of 2019.
• Evening Programming. During the evening hours, enjoy several programs that are designed to teach you about the stars, galaxies, and the solar system. And of course, a trip to Lowell wouldn’t be complete without a look through it’s famous 24-inch Clark Refractor! Check the website for the latest times, and remember that telescope viewing only takes place when the weather permits it.

Steward Observatory

The Steward Observatory was established in 1916 and dedicated in 1923. The observatory, originally built on an ostrich farm in Tucson, was moved to Kitt Peak in 1963 in a quest for darker skies.

Mount Lemmon SkyCenter

The Mount Lemmon SkyCenter seeks to strengthen interest in science and astronomy through premium educational and public outreach experiences. Part of the University of Arizona’s Steward Observatory and the Department of Astronomy, The SkyCenter is located at the Mount Lemmon Observatory site and operates under permit from the U.S. Forest Service.

Visiting

Programs conducted at the Mount Lemmon SkyCenter consist of Stargazing Programs, Day Tours and Solar Viewings, Astronomer Nights, Private and Semi-Private astronomy events, and other special programs. Advance reservations are required, and tickets are available online at the Mount Lemmon SkyCenter website.

Mt. Graham International Observatories

Also a division of the Steward Observatory, the Mt. Graham International Observatories are located at the eastern base of Mount Graham, just six miles south of Safford, Arizona.

Telescopes

The research telescopes located at the Mt. Graham International Observatories are the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope, the Heinrich Hertz Submillimeter Telescope, and the Large Binocular Telescope.

Visiting

The official Mt. Graham International Observatories Visitors Center is located on the Eastern Arizona Discovery Park Campus. The observatory conducts weekly tours that begin mid-May and go through October. Advanced reservations are required when planning to go on a tour.

Large Binocular Telescope Observatory

Located on Mt. Graham in Arizona, the Large Binocular Telescope Observatory (LBTO) has two identical 8.4m telescopes mounted side-by-side. They are on a common altitude-azimuth mounting for a combined collecting area of an 11.8m telescope. LBTO headquarters is located on the Tucson campus of the University of Arizona.

Patterson Observatory

Opened in 2004, this observatory, located on the University of Arizona Sierra Vista campus, is owned and maintained by the University South Foundation, Inc. While it is owned by the foundation, the local astronomy club, Huachuca Astronomy, has taken the reins and the volunteers operate the observatory and host Public Viewing nights.