KITT PEAK NATIONAL OBSERVATORY A WALKING TOUR

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: STARGATE
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP96-00788R001400020002-4
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 4, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 11, 2000
• Sequence Number: 2
• Content Type: OPEN

- eA ifr I 'o Release 000/08/07 rv
was_select dtn 1 58 a to f r na ionaf; l ~rvatory
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from bright Ii hts, v talon cover, Fr fight and
rnmit'ar a over all fact_ rs leading #o th final selec-
Peak.
loi ated in the_ uinlan Mounta ns of the_Sc nova
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?seareh to Astron y AUI )~ Inc , for the operation
tie c rf rtal contract and subset ant agreements,
peen res onsc Ce for this construction, de eloprnent.
urng operatron of Kitt :Peak _as a natronal research
is a non pr ifrt cc rpor Iron rn , rizo -a rn X957,=AU A
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all wi#h strong research angd graduate training zro-
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sity of TevJS at Austin
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)nal center, Krtt Peak allocates 6 percent; f its=tale
to qualified visiting astronomers t_rorri all over the
lion of users rs based entirely upon the merit of the
eseatch programs proposed., The remaining 40_per~-
rwthe , AU also n#atihI~SF operates=the Cerra
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a
.IFORMATION: "Write Public Inform
for Office,
)nal Observatory, P fl }Six 26732,: Tucson, AZ 85 726..
a walking to
roved For Release 2000/08/07 : CIA-RDP96-00788 R001400020002-4.
 'ES
an-
i's
_S U. MAYALL 4-METER TELESCOPE
. a fuzed quartz mirror 4m srQV(.'ed c Q,rinJiel ai t0e2DA0/08/07
rent is the nation's second largest optical telescope.
Together the telescope and the mounting weigh 375 tons, yet they are so
With this instrument astronomers can study objects as taint as 23rd
magnitude-more than six million times fainter than the dimmest
star visible with the unaided eye.
Darkrooms, laboratories, offices, and sleeping quarters are
housed in the 19-story-high structure. The movable dome
weighs 500 tons; the shutter opening measures 30 feet
across. The building itself is 105 feet in diameter.
An elevator provides access to a glass-enclosed
observation deck that presents a panoramic view
of the observatory; from there steps lead to a
telescope viewing gallery for visitors.
The telescope was dedicated in June,
1973, and is named for Dr. Nicholas
U. Mayall, former Director of the
Kitt Peak National Observatory.
2.3-METER
TELESCOPE
050-CM
;RAPH
lebula in Orion,
I with the Mayall
ELEVATION
tain lies just North of the
4-meter telescope, at an
1.5
MILES
REST
ational Observatory, you will note that some points of
=low is a brief description of each site.
l-meter telescope, with the McMath Solar Telescope
you will be looking south. Behind you stand six of the 13
the three telescopes of the University of Arizona;
9-meter Nicholas U. Mayall telescope dome invisible.
AltarValley and, visible some 18 miles tothe
o your right) is the town of Sells, tribal headquarters
.ans. The distinctive dome-shaped mountain peak due
ri, traditional home of the Papago Indian God !-!'toy.
a schematic diagram of the McMath Solar Telescope.
clescopes before them. The large telescope building
louses the University of Arizona's 2.3-meter telescope.
s of 100 miles on most days, and special non-glare
as area enhances picture taking. To help with
along thegallery showthe fourpoints of the compass
:f surrounding towns. Mountain ranges visible to the
ed in Mexico.
iles down this roadway is the Picnic Area with cooking
eink machines, drinking water and restrooms for your
beauty, the Picnic Area itself draws many nature
1.3-METER TELESCOPE
RI emphasis on infrared astronomy, this telescope
observations of objects such as stars embedded
Jst clouds that woulda
. r ll _' _ 1 J: .cations
ak telescopes.
10.75-METER
MILLIMETER-WAVE
RADIO TELESCOPE
Operated by the National
Radio Astronomy Observa-
tory this 10.75-meter (36-
foot) dish antenna explores
the universe in radio
wavelengths that are not
(Not open to the public)
WI' ' n, stand facing the f
`lelesscope.`'Y'o Pn``8`tFi3t your Walking Tour
agree with the structures visible atop the mound
Welcome to the
kitt peak
national
observatoi
A Walking Tour
As national center for ground-based optical astronomy, Kitt Pe
the largest collection of astronomical instruments in the world. Sc
over the world use Kitt Peak facilities for research programs in st
planetary studies.
In addition to visiting scientists, over 50 people are employed o
but only the necessary support staff Iives there. Resident astronomy
in Tucson. During observing periods, they, as well as visiting sc
dormitory rooms at Kitt Peak.
Kitt Peak is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ev
Christmas. There is no charge or ticket for admission. Regularly scl
the Observatory are conducted at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Sunday and holiday. All tours begin at the Visitor Center.
Although no food (other than candy and soft drinks) is sold on 1
grounds, a picnic area is provided with tables, benches, and fire pi
This Walking Tour Guide has been prepared for visitors who
scheduled tour or wish to tour the facilities on their own. Please
for a handy reference to the National Observatory.
Your interest in the Observatory's programs and facilities is a
sincerely hope that your visit to Kitt Peak will be an ei
informative-occasion.
Exhibits feature many as-
pects of astronomy, including
models of telescopes and the
research programs being con-
ducted at Kitt Peak. Visitors
can operate an actual solar
telescope, and Kitt Peak-
produced films are shown on
weekends and holidays.
Papago handicrafts and vari-
ous mementos of the Obser-
vatory are available at the gift
shop.
A 1-met(
coelostat m
sunlight to
meter (41-i
forming mi
sends the
down throe
tanks hous
meter-high
tower-desi
imize the
to the obs(
Its daily n
solar ma?
give scient
understanc
complex pi
occur with
The Vacuu
is also us
solar veloc
spectra, al
ported NI
program I
constantly
formation 4
ity for the i
nauts.