Arizona Astronomy
Sky School’s Arizona Astronomy program explores the universe through a one-of-a-kind experience that combines cutting-edge space science and unforgettable adventures under Arizona's dark skies. Meet the scientists behind groundbreaking discoveries, use authentic astronomical tools and research methods, and step into the roles of astronomers, planetary scientists, and engineers through interactive simulations. From the University of Arizona's world-renowned research laboratories to the Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter Observatory, discover what it takes to explore—and protect—our place in the cosmos.
Program Overview
Sky School’s Arizona Astronomy program is a 5-day, 4-night immersive exploring some of the most exciting topics in modern space science by engaging with cutting-edge research and the scientists behind it, as well as have the opportunity to practice using authentic tools and research methods firsthand. Participants learn about careers in space science by stepping into the roles of scientists and engineers through guided simulation activities. The program is divided into two main segments:
Part 1: Research Lab Visits — UA Main Campus (2 Days)
Participants visit world-renowned research labs at the University of Arizona Main Campus in Tucson, including the Richard F. Carries Mirror Lab, where scientists and engineers are making giant, lightweight mirrors of unprecedented power and precision for a new generation of the world’s largest optical telescopes, and the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research, a preeminent center of dendrochronology, where scientists are using the information stored in tree rings to understand and quantify interactions among our Earth’s climate, ecosystems, and solar activity dating back thousands of years.
Part 2: Observatory Stay — Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter (3 Days)
After lab visits, participants travel to the summit of nearby Mt. Lemmon and the Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter Observatory, their home for the remainder of the program. While on Mt. Lemmon, participants will learn about the “Sky Islands” region of Southern Arizona and what makes it an ideal location for studying the night skies. They will enjoy guided observing with University of Arizona telescopes and astronomers, meet with on-site researchers from projects such as the Catalina Sky Survey—a NASA-funded effort to detect near-Earth asteroids—and explore big-picture questions through guided simulations, including how the world cooperates to protect Earth from asteroid impacts, how scientists search for signs of life on distant planets, and the ethical and practical challenges of human space exploration.
Program Themes
- Astronomy – Understanding stars, galaxies, and Earth’s place in the universe, as well as telescopes and instrumentation used by astronomers for observational research.
- Planetary Science – Exploring planets, moons, and planetary systems, including those in our own solar system, as well as the burgeoning study of exoplanets in other star systems.
- Planetary Defense – Learning how scientists identify and track asteroids that could pose a threat to impact Earth, and the coordinated efforts involving international space agencies, researchers, and organizations to assess risks and mitigate potential impacts.
- Astrobiology – Addressing the fundamental question “Are we alone?” through the interdisciplinary study of how life begins and survives under extreme conditions, the search for habitable environments in our own solar system and on exoplanets, and the ethics and future of deep-space human exploration.
Audience: High School
Format: 2 days at UA Main Campus in Tucson + 3 days at Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter Observatory
Includes: Lab visits, instruction, course materials, telescope use, accommodation and meals on Mt. Lemmon
Not included: Transportation, hotel, and meals in Tucson.