Good News Tucson - A Family Values Magazine

THIS MONTH: Kitt Peak National Observatory

by Don & Jan Harrison

Photos Courtesy of Don Harrison,
lower right courtesy of Laura Kittell

Only 48 miles from downtown Tucson – less than an hour and a half drive – a scientific adventure awaits you at the Kitt Peak National Observatory. Built in 1958, it is located in the Quinlan Mountains at almost 7000 feet, away from the heat of the Sonoran Desert. It sits atop one of the most beautiful mountains in the area where its 200 acres are leased from the Tohono O'odham Nation. It is a pleasant drive West on Ajo Way from Mission Road. Ten miles past Three Points is the well marked turn off to the observatory. The ten mile road up the mountain is paved and in excellent condition.

Kitt Peak has a total of 24 telescopes and two radio telescopes, the largest amount in the world. One of them is the largest solar telescope anywhere. Although astronomers and scientists are constantly at work at the facility, they offer daily tours for the public that last one hour beginning at 10 A.M., 11:30 A.M. and 1:30 P.M. No reservations are required and a nominal fee of $4 for adults and $2.50 for children (6-12) is charged for a guided tour. All-day and group rates are available. A walking tour map is available for self-guided tours and they have a well stocked gift shop with an excellent selection of books as well as souvenirs.

The Kitt Peak National Observatory Visitor Center is open to the public daily from 9 A.M. to 3:45 P.M. (except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day).

There is a well maintained picnic ground, which unfortunately is currently closed due to dry conditions. When it is open, it is peaceful and cool plus there is no charge to use it. No camping is allowed and fires are limited to gas barbecues. They only ask that you clean up after yourselves and use the critter-proof garbage receptacles.

The telescopes at the observatory are the Mayall 4 metre, the WTYN 3.5 metre, and also 2.1 m, 1.2 m, 0.9 m, and 0.4 m reflecting telescopes. The National Radio Astronomy Observatory 12 m radio telescope that was decommissioned in 2002 is also there. Kitt Peak is famous for hosting the first telescope used to search for near Earth asteroids, and calculating the probability of an impact with our planet.

They have a nighttime program called the Nightly Observing Program that includes a presentation, observing through a 16" telescope with assistance from a telescope operator, and a sack dinner. The charge for this program is $41 or $36 for students and seniors (ID required). It requires reservations about one month in advance and is suspended from mid-July through August.

The personnel and docents at Kitt Peak are knowledgeable and friendly and more than willing to answer all your questions as they guide you through the tour. The tour is very informative and most of the telescopes are no more than a half-mile walk. Some stair climbing is necessary so anyone with a serious handicap would not be able to participate. However, there is plenty else to see and study in the comfortable visitor's center.

Many important science discoveries have taken place at Kitt Peak, such as the study of galaxy rotation curves, which provided the first indication of dark matter in the universe. High redshift galaxies have also been discovered resulting in a greater understanding of the rate of galaxy formation. Many galaxy clusters have also been observed and studied, creating a new understanding of the evolution of galaxies. They use planetary nebulae to measure the rate at which the universe is expanding.

Even if the research seems a little beyond your understanding, a visit to Kitt Peak is a pleasant and informative trip that the whole family can enjoy. Take plenty of coins since all kids love the display that causes coins to rotate on edge down into a chamber, a novel way of obtaining donations for a very worthy facility.

For further details, call (520) 318-8726 or on the web at www.NOAO.EDU/KPNO.