Click the link to the observatory for details and the link to location for a map/direction
The Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory (FLWO)
The Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory (FLWO) is the largest satellite facility of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO), part of the Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. Located on Mt. Hopkins in southern Arizona, this remote site is home to a number of telescopes, including the 6.5 meter MMT Observatory. The observatory also includes the Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System (VERITAS) gamma-ray observatory, telescope arrays designed to find Earth-like exoplanets, and a number of other telescopes used for a wide range of astronomical observations. Location: 670 Mt Hopkins Rd, Amado, AZ 85645
Lowell Observatory
Lowell Observatory is an independent, non-profit research institution founded in 1894 by mathematician and astronomer Percival Lowell. Today, their mission is to pursue the study of astronomy, conduct research, and bring astronomical education to the public. Location: 1400 W Mars Hill Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
The Large Binocular Telescope Observatory (LBTO)
The Large Binocular Telescope Observatory (LBTO) is located in southeastern Arizona near Safford in the Pinaleno Mountains on Emerald Peak at an altitude of 3200m. LBT is a pair of 8-m class telescopes working together as well as the first of the ELTs (Extremely Large Telescopes), able to provide the spatial resolution of a 22.7m telescope. LBTO is headquartered on the Tucson campus of the University of Arizona and is an international collaboration of several Universities and research institutes. The scientific interests of the LBTO partnership span the full range of modern astrophysics. Location: 12500 W Swift Trail, AZ-366, Safford, AZ 85546
Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO)
Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO) is a Program of the NOIRLab. NSF’s NOIRLab is the US national center for ground-based, nighttime optical and infrared astronomy. The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. (AURA) operates these facilities and NSF’s NOIRLab under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation (NSF). KPNO hosts the facilities of consortia that, between them, operate more than a dozen optical telescopes and two radio telescopes. Established in 1964 and in its sixth decade of operations, the Kitt Peak Visitor Center has been enjoyed by more than two million people. Guests experience the largest and most diverse collection of research telescopes in any one place in the world. Three of the nearly two dozen active telescopes on Kitt Peak are dedicated solely to public viewing in the world-renowned nightly stargazing programs. Location: Kitt Peak National Observatory, Tucson, AZ 85634, AZ 85635, United States
The Mount Lemmon SkyCenter
The Mount Lemmon SkyCenter seeks to offer premium educational and public outreach experiences in science and astronomy. It is located at Steward Observatory’s “sky island” observing site just north of Tucson, Arizona. The SkyCenter builds upon the uniqueness of the 9,157 feet summit of Mt. Lemmon and on the extensive knowledge base at the University of Arizona to deliver educational adventures including: 1. SkyNights – A night-time observing program that provides the opportunity to peer beyond the blue horizons of our southwestern skies, and 2. Astronomer Nights – This opens up nearly exclusive, extended access to the 32-inch Schulman telescope like a professional astronomer. Location: 9800 E Ski Run Rd, Mt Lemmon, AZ 85619
Butterfield RV Resort & Observatory
Open to all guests, The Observatory at Butterfield RV Resort features a Meade LX-200 GPS 16-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. This university quality installation is housed in a 15’ diameter electrically operated dome. Location: 251 S Ocotillo Ave, Benson, AZ 85602