Kitt Peak National Observatory
Advanced Observing Program
The Kitt Peak Visitor Center offers an advanced observing program geared towards the amateur astronomer interested in using large telescopes with state-of -the-art instruments. Guests who participate in this program are treated as visiting astronomers, and they have complete access to the Visitor Center's considerable resources. Observe from an excellent site, dine with other astronomers, and above all enjoy exploring the universe.
Recent progress in astronomical instrumentation has put the CCD camera well within the grasp of amateur astronomy. The program offers hands-on use of an Santa Barbara Instruments ST10ME or ST8 CCD camera, or film astrophotography using either your camera or ours, as well as an array of other equipment and expert guidance, and fulfill the desire to take the pictures seen in books and magazines.
The options available to an individual in the course of a night are as diverse as the universe itself. Take beautiful color CCD images of galactic nebulae, photograph star clusters, record video footage of the Moon and planets, take color wide field images of the night sky using film and a 35mm camera, perform a supernova or asteroid search, or just enjoy visual observing through our high quality eyepieces!
The cost is $375.00 per night. This includes uses of one of the three telescopes and telescope operator who will do all of the work from setting up the scope, image data collection and processing, to just being there and you do all the work.
The three scopes are currently available. A 20 inch and 16 inch RC Optics open trust telescope and a 16" Meade LX200 (See Pictures Below)
The newest additions are a pair of SBIG ST6303 Research Grade CCD Cameras.
You stay, eat and sleep in the same dorms and cafeteria as the other visiting astronomers who are all willing and eager to talk about their work.
Cost for the dorm is $75.00 per night single or $65.00 per night double occupancy.
Over the last five years I have been to Kitt Peak seven times for a total of fifteen nights, and find it more that worth the money for airfare, telescope time and other associated cost to observe with the professionals at an excellent site.
You can come to the mountain with a planed run as I do, or go completely unplanned, and do real science or just take pretty pictures. The choice is yours and is as wide as the universe.
If you are interested in this program, contact Jack Kennedy at (520) 318-8728
Link to Kitt Peak's Advanced Observing Program: http://www.noao.edu/outreach/nop/advanced/advanced.html
Photos of Kitt Peak Visitor Center Advance Observing Program Facilities
Aerial view of Kitt Peak National Observatory Visitor Center and 20" RC Optics Dome
Me at the Kitt Peak RC Optics 20 inch Telescope 16" Mead LX 200 Dome (White Building)
20" RC Optics with SBIG ST10ME & AO7Adaptive Optics Visiting Astronomers (this can be you) Sleep Quarters
Business end of the RC 20" (SBIG ST10ME)
The WIYN 3.5m (center) and KPNO 2.1m telescopes getting ready for a night of observing.