Daytime Guided Tour: McMath-Pierce Solar Telescope

Visit Kitt Peak National Observatory in Tucson Arizona for a docent led daytime tour of the historic McMath Pierce Solar Telescope. Once the largest solar telescope in the world for more than fifty years, this remarkable facility offers a close look inside and outside the iconic structure. Guests will also enjoy a Science on a Sphere audiovisual presentation titled The Sun Our Living Star. During summer, the mountain location offers cooler temperatures and clear desert views, making it a refreshing escape from the city below.

The program lasts about sixty minutes and involves extensive walking between buildings. Guests should be comfortable walking distances and climbing stairs, as most areas are not wheelchair accessible. Check in at the Visitor Center at least fifteen minutes before the tour begins. Advance reservations are recommended. Discounted tickets are available for seniors, students, active duty military, and groups. Members of the Tohono Oodham Nation and ASTC Members receive free admission with valid identification. International visitors should carry passports due to a border checkpoint on the route. The telescope was decommissioned in 2017 and is being transformed into the Windows on the Universe Center for Astronomy Outreach.