For Immediate Release: Tucson, Arizona. November 1, 2013. Visitors to Southern Arizona and residents alike can now enjoy five (5) new pubic programs offered by the Kitt Peak Visitor’s Center. Rich Fedele, Public Outreach Program Coordinator quotes, “Most of these programs are unique and cannot be found anywhere else in the world, utilizing the world’s largest solar telescope.”
Full Moon Madness: – See the full moon rise over Kitt Peak! AN OUT OF THIS WORLD EXPERIENCE! This hands on program is all about our closest neighbor, the moon. Learn all about our moon and what effects it has on the planet and on the life that lives here. Explore other moons in our solar system and the many varieties of environments that exist in our own small system of planets!
At the end of the evening everyone will get a chance to image the moon through the McMath-Pierce Solar Telescope using an CCD imager. The Kitt Peak Visitor Staff mails these images to each participant after the program concludes. A sit down dinner is also included with Full Moon Madness. Reservations required.
Fun with the Sun! – AN EXTRAORDINARY OUT OF THIS WORLD EXPERIENCE!
See the sunset through the largest solar telescope in the world! Learn about our favorite star and it’s place and effect on our planet as well as the rest of our solar system. Hands on activities abound including watching the sunset through the McMath-Pierce Solar Telescope. Reserve your space now for Fun with the Sun!
Space Weather- A COSMIC ONE OF A KIND EXPERIENCE!
Explore weather in space on Kitt Peak! This two hour daytime program starting at 1pm will show you how the Sun’s cycles affect the Earth. In addition, we will look at our fellow inhabitants of the solar system and see what the weather is like there. Learn what the environment is like in interstellar space and beyond! This program is held at the McMath – Pierce Solar Telescope on Kitt Peak. Please RSVP.
Advanced Nightly Observing Program (NOP): You asked for it now you got it! This program is geared for those who want a more in-depth viewing experience to our popular Nightly Observing Program (NOP), held monthly around the new moon. Not recommend for beginners, the Advanced NOP program concentrates on more telescope viewing time. Space limited . Please make reservations.
Binocular Stargazing Program: Held at Saguaro National Park West, this 3 hour program , for all ages, teaches the basics of the night sky with binoculars. Our staff teaches participants how to use binoculars, giving gazers a tour of the evening sky. View planets, galaxies, star clusters, nebula and more. Learn how to navigate the night sky by using star charts. With a good pair of binoculars you will be amazed at what you can see. We provide you everything you need for an enjoyable evening! Reservations a must for our new Binocular Stargazing Program.
For complete information about the above new programs, check out our website at www.noao.edu. (Click on tourist info at the top of the page) or call 520-318-8726. Online registration is now available for all Kitt Peak programs. There are also other exciting opportunities being offered ; VIP Tours, meteor programs, evening stargazing and more!