Kitt Peak National Observatory
March, 2010
Tucson, Arizona, USA
Kitt Peak is a mountain top group of celestial observatories about fifty miles west of Tucson, Arizona. As we were down in Tucson a few days before the Arizona Land Rover Rally, we decided to explore around the area. We had heard about the observatories, and since the only other ones we had ever seen were on the top of Mauna Kea on the big island of Hawaii, we felt it would be a good opportunity to see some more.
The reality of just how small we are in the grand scheme of things. Our sun is but a speck compared to VV Cephei, the star at the top right of these photos.
It was a perfect day for sight seeing with a comfortable temperature and a blue, cloudless sky. The observatories are located on the top of Kitt Peak, at an elevation of 7000 foot. The history of the observatory is interesting as the mountain is located on native land, and certain limitations had to be agreed to in order for a long term lease to be granted. The activities on the mountain top had to be guaranteed non-profit, and the elders of the band had to be convinced that the objectives of the observatories would in no way contradict the beliefs and traditions of these particular native americans.
The deal was completed and so began the development of a conservatory complex that was available to all scientists. Apparently, many observatories are available only to scientists that are employed by the organizations that own and fund the observatory. So non-affiliated astronomers can't get access for their research. This is why the federal government funds and administers the facilities, so all legitimate scientists will have the tools needed to further their research, and our understanding of the cosmos.
Most of the telescopes on the mountain top are open during the day for visitors to view them. Although access once inside the buildings is limited to viewing the telescopes through windows. The most unique of the telescopes was the solar telescope, which is the only one working during the day, and closed at night. The three photos above of the various stars really puts our insignificance into perspective. The comparisons are mind blowing in the extreme.
