Amateur Astronomers Visiting Tucson

Tucson is a destination for many amateur astronomers, often coming from locations not as blessed with an abundance of clear, dark skies. Since I often field questions about what to do here in Tucson for the visiting stargazer I have assembled this page. Clear Skies!

A check on our calendar page will show you when our club is planning outing to dark sky sites around Tucson. Directions to TIMPA and Las Cienegas can also be found. TIMPA is a site our club is developing for stargazing and includes amenities such as real bathrooms. Las Cienegas is BLM land and is open as an observing site anytime, but minimal facilities and wide open Arizona countryside. For more information on Tucson area observing sites you can go to http://www.siowl.com/.

Vega Bray Observatory and Bed & Breakfast

Located about 45 minutes from Tucson, close to Interstate 10, 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. Info at http://www.communiverse.com/skywatcher/.

Kitt Peak

The world's largest collection of optical telescopes. About an hours drive from downtown Tucson. 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. http://www.noao.edu/outreach/kpvc/.

Kitt Peak Night Visitor Program

Did you want to stay on the mountain after 4:00pm when the visitor center closes and you would normally have to leave. Make a reservation for the night program. Using a 16" LX200 installed in a dome above the visitor center a guide will show you the sky's wonders. Reservations are required and they book up fast, especially for weekends and new moon. Information at http://www.noao.edu/outreach/nop/.

Whipple Observatory

South of Tucson, atop Mt. Hopkins in the Santa Rita Mts. is located the Whipple Observatory, home of the 6.5m MMT and several other instruments. Whipple is the observatory branch of the Smithsonian Institution. Info at http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/flwo/visitcenter.html

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

Located on the University of Arizona mall is the Flandrau Science Center. Home to our local planetarium as well as science and astronomy exhibits. The Flandrau also open's it's Observatory housing a 16" telescope used for public viewing on a regular schedule. Info at http://www.gotuasciencecenter.org.

Arizona Sonora Desert Museum

An amateur astronomer still needs something to occupy the days, one should be spent 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! http://www.desertmuseum.org/index.html.

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. http://www.sanxaviermission.org/Index.html

Starizona

When you get here and realize your eyepieces are still in Chicago, where do you go? 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. http://www.starizona.com/

Biosphere 2

North of Tucson, is Biosphere 2, a self contained experimental ecosystem. Now a campus of Columbia University it serves as both a research and educational facility. Also home to a 0.7m telescope, but not, at last information offering public viewing. Visitor information at http://www.bio2.edu/

Discovery Park, Safford Arizona

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. Information at http://www.discoverypark.com/

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