Area Destinations for Amateur
Astronomers
 Tucson
is a destination for many amateur astronomers, often coming from
locations not as blessed with such an abundance of clear, dark skies.
This page offers information about area attractions and
destinations of interest to amateur astronomers.
TAAA
Public Events
Our public events calendar details
TAAA events that are open to the general public. Monthly meetings
begin with a presentation on Astronomy Essentials, which is
followed by a presentation by an invited speaker. We are fortunate
to have the participation of many distinguished lecturers who are
leaders in the field of astronomy. You will also have an
opportunity to purchase TAAA souvenirs!
Kitt
Peak National Observatory
Kitt Peak offers the world's largest collection of
optical telescopes, and is located about an hours drive from downtown Tucson.
You'll enjoy a
beautiful drive across the desert and up a very scenic mountain.
Take a picnic lunch and check the tour times for a guided tour.
Kitt
Peak Nightly Observing Program
The Kitt Peak Visitor Center closes at
4:00 p.m. If you would like to visit during evening hours, make a
reservation for the Nightly Observing Program. A guide will show you the sky's
wonders using a 16" LX200 installed in a dome above the Visitor
Center. Advance reservations are required and they book up fast,
especially for weekends and new moon.
Mount
Lemmon SkyCenter
Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter, located just north of Tucson on the
summit of Mt. Lemmon, is a unique science learning center. The
SkyCenter builds upon the uniqueness of the site and the extensive
knowledge base at the University of Arizona to deliver educational
adventures such as the SkyCenter's SkyNights observing program. "SkyNights"
offers the opportunity to peer beyond the blue horizons adorning
our southwestern skies and explore the astronomical wonders that
have fascinated us from time immemorial. Star charts, binoculars
and a 24-inch RCOS telescope are just some of the resources
utilized in this program. Join us as part of a group for evening
hours or reserve the telescope all night and be treated as a
visiting astronomer. See Related Article:
SkyCenter Astronomer Honored For Astrophotography
Whipple Observatory
Whipple Observatory is an observatory branch of
the Smithsonian Institution, and is located south of Tucson, atop
Mt. Hopkins in the Santa Rita Mountains. Whipple Observatory is
home to the 6.5m MMT telescope and several other instruments. Amateur
astronomers are invited to bring their telescopes to the
"Astronomy Vista," a special observing site with concrete pads and
benches along a knoll at an elevation of 1524 meters (5000 feet)
approximately 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) east of the Visitors Center
on a paved road. Here, within sight of the Multiple Mirror
Telescope, amateurs may take advantage of the same clear, dark,
Arizona skies so important to professional astronomers. (Access to
telescope pads requires climbing a short, but somewhat steep,
unpaved trail.)
Flandrau Science Center
The Flandrau Science Center, located
on the University of Arizona mall, is home to a local planetarium,
as well as various science and astronomy exhibits. The
Flandrau Science Center's Observatory is open every Wednesday
through Saturday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The observatory has a 16-inch
reflecting telescope that gives beautiful views of Saturn, Jupiter,
star clusters, nebulae, and other celestial wonders. Observing is
free, or donate $1 to the Observatory, which is staffed each night by
volunteers. Flandrau
Science Center is located at the corner of University Blvd. and
Cherry Ave. on the main University of Arizona campus. Call 621-STAR
for more information.
Starizona
When you get here and realize your
eyepieces are still in Chicago, where do you go? Starizona is a friendly
astronomy shop with everything you need. Or, just go to look at
solar prominences through a large Astrophysics refractor and a
tunable hydrogen-alpha filter (wow!!!) setup out front on most
sunny days.
Biosphere 2
The University of Arizona Biosphere 2 is a self contained
experimental ecosystem and serves as both a research and
educational facility. It is located approximately 30 miles north
of Tucson and is open to the public year-round, except for
Thanksgiving and Christmas. Both public and private tours are
available. Biosphere 2 serves as both
as a
research and educational facility for the University of Arizona. It is also home to a 0.7m telescope,
though it does not (at last information) offer public viewing.
Pima Air and Space Museum
This is one of the largest air and space museums
in the world, featuring more than 275 aircraft and spacecraft,
including many of the most historically significant and
technically advanced.
Titan
Missile Museum
The Titan Missile Museum is the only
publicly accessible Titan II missile site in the nation. Tour the
underground missile site. See the 3-ton blast doors, the 8-foot
thick silo walls, and an actual Titan II missile in the launch
duct. Visit the launch control center, experience a simulated
launch, and more!
Discovery Park, Safford Arizona
The Discovery Park Campus is located
two hours drive east of Tucson in Safford, Arizona. Discovery Park
serves as the visitor center for the telescopes atop Mt. Graham.
It also houses a 0.5m telescope and many other exhibits on the
history and culture of the region.
Arizona Sonora Desert Museum
An amateur astronomer still needs
something to occupy the days, and one should not visit Tucson
without spending one at ASDM. This is
truly a world class museum, actually part museum, part zoo, and
part arboretum. In your visit you will learn about this wonderful
desert through its plants and animals. Don't miss the walk-in
hummingbird aviary!
Mission San Xavier del Bac
One must not forget our city's Spanish
history. South of Tucson is a monumental reminder of our past in
the form of a 200 year old Spanish mission. Fully restored this
building still serves as an active Catholic Church. Concessions are set up in front of
the mission on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Astronomer's Inn (Formerly Skywatcher's Inn)
This is an astronomy retreat in
Benson, Arizona, close
to Interstate 10 about 45 minutes from Tucson. This is a wonderful
treat for the traveling astronomer with a range of telescopes
available for guests. The bed and breakfast has plenty more to
offer than just astronomy, allowing astronomer and non-astronomer
spouses to peacefully compromise.
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