|
Visit
the Grand Canyon - one of the Top
10 Wonders of the World
ARIZONA'S DARK SKIES ARE
PERFECT FOR STAR GAZERS
- Flagstaff's Lowell Observatory
Celebrates 75th Anniversary of Pluto Discovery
-
With some of the darkest
skies in North America and hundreds of cloudless
nights each year, Arizona is quickly becoming a
haven for both professional and amateur
stargazers.
In northern Arizona,
Flagstaff is the perfect place to stargaze and is
home to the Lowell Observatory where Pluto was
discovered 75 years ago. To celebrate the 75th
anniversary, Lowell Observatory is planning a
special program for visitors on February 18, 2005
which includes a lecture presentation for all ages
that will highlight the historic Pluto discovery,
the only planet in our solar system discovered in
the United States.
Lowell Observatory is a
privately owned astronomical research institution
located at an elevation of 7,260 feet. Boston
mathematician Percival Lowell founded the
Observatory in 1894. Best known for the discovery
of Pluto, Lowell Observatory is also where
scientists gathered the first evidence of the
expanding universe. Today the Observatory's
astronomers carry out forefront research in all
areas of astronomy.
The Observatory also maintains a
vigorous education and outreach program,
headquartered in the 6,500-square-foot Steele
Visitor Center on Mars Hill. Each year, more than
70,000 people visit the Observatory to learn about
astronomy by participating in group tours,
multimedia programs, and other educational
activities. For more information, call
928-774-3358or visit www.lowell.edu.
Beyond Flagstaff, observatories
and planetariums are open to visitors across the
state, catering to those who wish to explore the
farthest reaches of the galaxy. Here are just a few
of the additional stargazing opportunities that
Arizona has to offer:
Kitt Peak Observatory
The world's largest collection
of optical telescopes is located high above the
Sonoran Desert about 90 minutes southwest of
Tucson. Kitt Peak Observatory, on the Tohono
O'odham Reservation, is home to twenty-two optical
and two radio telescopes representing eight
astronomical research institutions. The facility
offers a renowned public evening program allowing
visitors to gain hands-on experience with the
telescopes. Participants can view planets, stars
and even other galaxies. This program is offered to
a small group of up to 36 participants every night
of the week (except July 15 &endash; September 1).
Reservations must be made in advance. For more
information visit http://www.noao.edu/kpno/ or call
(520) 318-8726.
Challenger Space Center of
Arizona
Located in Peoria, The
Challenger Space Center of Arizona is a
Smithsonian-affiliated institution providing
hands-on space and stargazing programs. The center
includes a wide range of rotating exhibits,
stargazing programs, planetarium programs and
simulated space missions. The Challenger Center is
a fun and educational site for the entire family.
For more information, call 623-322-2001 or visit
www.azchallenger.org.
Fred Whipple
Observatory
The Smithsonian Institution's
Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory is located on
Mount Hopkins of the Santa Rita Range of the
Coronado National Forest (56 air kilometres south
of Tucson). Research activities include
spectroscopic observations of extragalactic,
stellar and planetary bodies, gamma ray and cosmic
ray astronomy and environmental studies. Ten and
11-meter optical arrays and 1.2- and 1.5 meter
reflecting telescopes as well as other telescopes
and meteorological instruments are located on a
half-mile long ridge at the 7600-foot elevation.
The Multiple Mirror Telescope (world's 4th largest
telescope) is on the 8550-foot summit of Mount
Hopkins. The Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory
offers a Visitor Center featuring displays and
exhibits on astronomy and astrophysics, natural
science, and cultural history. For more information
call 520-670-5707 or visit:
http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/flwo/index.html.
Mt Lemmon Observatory
This 20-acre site was formerly a
Radar Base for the Air Defense Command and was
converted into an observatory for infrared
astronomy in October 1970. A geodesic dome houses a
radar tracking station operated from Ft. Huachuca
and is the lone remaining military presence on the
mountain. This station is used to direct the Space
Shuttle in case of an emergency landing in White
Sands, NM. There is also a former communications
center for the Titan missile defense
system.
Star Haven
Observatory
Star Haven Observatory, located
in the quiet town of Palominas in the southeastern
corner of the state, was designed and constructed
by the owner, Doug Snyder. It was finished in
February, 2001 and has quickly become a favorite
spot for local stargazers. The observatory
presently houses three telescopes, the main
instrument being a 20-inch reflecting telescope.
The observatory is also home to a 10- inch
Schmidt-Cassegrain type and an 8-inch Dobsonian.
The owner of the observatory is credited as the
co-discoverer of the Comet Snyder-Murakami in
March, 2002. For more information visit:
http://www.palominas.com/observatory01.htm
To obtain more information or
brochures on the excitement Arizona has to offer
year-round, travel trade and media may contact the
Arizona Office of Tourism (Canada) at 55 Town
Centre Court, Suite 642, Toronto, Ontario M1P 4X4,
tel: (416) 861-1240; fax (416) 861-1108, or email:
azinfo@travelmarketingexperts.com. Additional media
information can be found at
pressroom.arizonaguide.com. Consumers may call
toll-free at 1-866-275-5843 or visit
www.ArizonaGuide.com.
|
