Kitt Peak Observatory

When my daughter and SIL were here we spent one day at Kitt Peak Observatory.  It is 50 miles from Tucson and sits on top of a mountain.

Altitude of 6,785 ft.

Beautiful drive and beautiful view all around.

This is an ideal location because the sky is so clear here and Tucson has an ordinance that all streets lights must be directed downward which reduces the light pollution.

Another reason Tucson is a good place for an observatory is the year round good weather, sunny days and clear nights.

Welcoming sign and mission statement.

Panoramic view of the top with all the observatories.

Taken by my SIL.

Photo taken from the road below.  This gives you a hint of the height and bare rock it sits on.
Kitt peak is located in the Schuk Toak District on the Tohono O'odham Nation.

Rose and Tim are enjoying the colorful Visitor Center sign.

This is the observatory that we toured.

A view of the telescope in this building.  What you are looking at is the mirror.  Our docent was a retired science writer that did a fabulous job of explaining everything in layman's terms.

There were photos of nebula in the building and you know that was going to inspire me to create one.  They are so beautiful.

This is a view on white paper and...

this is a view surrounded by black which makes it more real to me.

It was a wonderful day.