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OBSERVATORY TOURS & TELESCOPE VIEWING

Sky School offers both daytime and evening programs at the Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter Observatory. The Observatory Tour explores the history of the SkyCenter and the summit ecology of Mt. Lemmon. The Evening Astronomy Course expands on the tour and includes guided nighttime observing with University of Arizona astronomers.

Daytime tour

Observatory Tour

The Observatory Tour explores the storied history of the Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter, from its early days as a mountain-top Air Force base, to its present-day status as a leading research facility in astronomy. The program includes a walking tour of the 25-acre facility, guided tours of several prominent telescopes, opportunities for daytime and solar observing, and a chance to meet with researchers from the University of Arizona and NASA. Groups will also take a short hike to one of the most spectacular viewpoints of Tucson and the surrounding mountains as we examine what makes this region the "Astronomy Capital of the World".

  • Audience: Middle and High School
  • Group Size: 20-40 students
  • Format: Daytime walking tour and hike at the summit of Mt. Lemmon
  • Focus: Mt. Lemmon History, Astronomy, Sky Island Ecology
  • Features: Observatory Tour, Daytime Telescope Viewing (weather permitting), Summit Hike

VIEW SAMPLE ITINERARY

$40 per student (standard)

$25 per student (Title I)

Telescope viewing 2

Evening Astronomy Course

The Evening Astronomy Course is designed for middle and high school students and offers an introduction to the world of astronomy in Southern Arizona. The program begins with a trip up the breathtaking Mt Lemmon Scenic Byway, where graduate student instructors introduce the geology and climate of the Sky Island region and what makes it such an ideal location for studying the night sky. From the summit, participants learn about local dark sky initiatives as they watch the lights come on in Tucson, tour the Mount Lemmon SkyCenter Observatory, and cap the night off with guided observing through one of the world's largest telescopes dedicated to public outreach.

  • Audience: Middle and High School
  • Group Size: 20-40 students
  • Format: Single evening program at the Mt Lemmon SkyCenter Observatory
  • Focus: Sky Island Geology, Dark Sky Initiatives, Astronomy
  • Features: Stop along Mt Lemmon Scenic Byway, Observatory Tour, Telescope Viewing

VIEW SAMPLE ITINERARY

$125 per student (standard)

$95 per student (Title I)

 

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Fees cover instruction, curricular materials, as well as accommodation and meals for overnight programs on Mt Lemmon. Additional meals and transportation must be provided by the school.

We charge fees that reflect approximately half of the actual cost of running programs. Through generous private donations we have limited scholarship funding available in cases of need. Please contact us at skyschool@arizona.edu for more information.