Tucson…Starry Starry Night…Kitt Peak Observatory
There is magic in the air in Tucson, the air is crisp and clean, oh yes, we have measures of particulate matter, but not as much as Phoenix, which bode well for air quality.
We are home to several observatories which need clean air in order to see the galaxies millions of miles in the distance. Clear skies are a requisite to building an observatory. And Kitt Peak, located about an hour west of Tucson, is preeminent amongst observatories, hosting the observatories and telescopes of several nationally recognized colleges as well as NOAO.
“Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO), part of the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO), supports the most diverse collection of astronomical observatories on Earth for nighttime optical and infrared astronomy and daytime study of the Sun. Sharing the mountaintop site with the National Solar Observatory, KPNO, founded in 1958, operates three major nighttime telescopes and hosts the facilities of consortia which operate 19 optical telescopes and two radio telescopes. (See the Tenant Observatories list.) Kitt Peak is located 56 miles southwest of Tucson, AZ, in the Schuk Toak District on the Tohono O’odham Nation and has a Visitor Center open daily to the public”
I had an “amateur” astronomy client once tell me, he only wanted to purchase land west of I-10 and I-19 because Tucson had prevailing westerly winds. The particulate matter from the cars traveling the highways blew eastward and that he could see the heavens better from the west side of town because there is less highway pollution.
Kitt Peak is located west of Tucson on Route 86, also known as Ajo Highway, which is the road to Why, a much traveled road leading eventually to Rocky Point. Farms and fields dot the landscape and when I was there last, I thought “this looks like Connecticut”. A white farmhouse was set back from the road and the fields with raffia like pumpkin vines held deep orange pumpkins, gone unpicked by pumpkin hunters.
A country store, a gas station, and a few buildings mark Three Points, otherwise known as Robles Junction. This is where the road to Sasabe, Highway 286, forks and wends its way to Sonora, Mexico. The Baboquiari and Quinlan Mountains loom in the distance and the telescopes of Kitt Peak beckon. We enter Tohono O’Odham land where the site of Kitt Peak is considered a sacred mountain.
The winding uphill road to Kitt Peak offers beautiful views of the surrounding areas, Tucson to the northeast, the Tumacacori Mountains and the San Luis Mountains around Arivaca to the south southeast, the Altar Valley and Mexico to the south, and the Santa Rosa Valley to the northwest.
Suddenly the telescopes appear, looming big, larger than life, and we have completed the ascent. It is chilly. We are more than a mile above sea level at 6875 feet. People attending the evening sessions are warned to bring a warm jacket, mittens or gloves and to wear a hat. We are ready to embark upon an out of this world experience and learn about the galaxies, some of which is difficult to fathom. The Kitt Peak program is an education and brought to you by some of the most knowledgable astronomers in the nation, a “not to be missed” experience!
Resources:
http://www.noao.edu/outreach/kpoutreach.html
http://cleardarksky.com/c/KittAZkey.html
http://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.local_state&stateid
http://www.noao.edu/kpno/=3&tab=0
Tags: My Point of View, Things to do and see in Tucson, Tucson Educational Opportunities, Weekend Wanderings