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Mar 28

Special tour of the Kitt Peak National Observatory-CANCELLED

Saturday, March 28th, 2020
10:00 – 11:15 am / Kitt Peak National Observatory
map of Special tour of the Kitt Peak National Observatory-CANCELLED

Kitt Peak, Arizona, 85634

Carls in Tucson invite you to

A special tour of
The Kitt Peak National Observatory

Saturday, March 28, 2020
10:00 a.m. walking tour

The Kitt Peak National Observatory
Kitt Peak, Arizona

 Kitt Peak  Kitt Peak Telescope

Join local Carls for a tour of the McMath-Pierce Solar Telescope, the world's most striking solar telescope. This telescope has been used by astronomers primarily during daylight hours to study the nearest star, the Sun. It has also made a variety of important nighttime observations of other objects. Its very long focal length allows it to bring high magnification to the study of bright solar system objects like the Moon, Venus, and Mercury. In recent years it has even been used to study exoplanets. Primarily involved in spectroscopic studies of the Sun, this telescope can see farther into the infrared than any other solar telescope.

Recently, a $4.5 million National Science Foundation grant will be used to develop a state-of-the-art public visitor program for Kitt Peak National Observatory.

Visitors will also enjoy stunning views of the surrounding mountain chains and desert valleys. Kitt Peak National Observatory astronomer Dr. Stephen Ridgway ’66 will join us and answer questions after the tour.

The Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO) is a United States astronomical observatory located on Kitt Peak of the Quinlan Mountains in the Arizona-Sonoran Desert on the Tohono O'odham Nation, 88 kilometers (55 mi) west-southwest of Tucson, Arizona. With over twenty optical and two radio telescopes, it is noted as a large and diverse gathering of astronomical instruments in the northern hemisphere.

The tour should last 60-75 minutes. To learn more about planning your visit, including accessibility, weather on Kitt Peak, rules for visitors, and services available, visit the Kitt Peak website.

Group Rates

Adults (13 and up): $12.00 per person

Children (7-12): $7.00 per person

Children (6 and under): FREE

Please purchase tickets by Wednesday, March 18, 2020 by clicking here and completing the subsequent form.

Questions? Contact Alumni Relations at alumni-office@carleton.edu or 800-729-2586.

 

  

Sponsored by Carls in Tucson. Contact: Krista Herbstrith, Alumni Relations