SkyCenter Launching Summer Science Program on Mt. Lemmon
A 24-inch telescope was installed in the newly-remodeled home of the Mount Lemmon SkyCenter in April.
Researchers from the UA's Catalina Sky Survey will conduct workshops on hazardous asteroids during the Mount Lemmon SkyCenter's Discovery Days programs. (Click to enlarge)
The Mount Lemmon SkyCenter invites the public to DiscoveryDays to learn about the unique science taking place on the sky island.
Summer visitors to The University of Arizona’s Mount Lemmon SkyCenter will learn about more than just the heavens. Through the SkyCenter’s new “DiscoveryDays” program, launching this Saturday, July 26, guests will gain an understanding of the six distinct ecosystems on Mount Lemmon and the groundbreaking science taking place there – all courtesy of leading UA scientists.
The DiscoveryDays program takes place each Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through the end of the southern Arizona monsoon season. The cost to attend is $40 per person, and lunch is provided. Group rates are available. Reservations, which are required, can by made by calling the Mount Lemmon SkyCenter at 520-626-8122.
A typical program will include a tour of the SkyCenter, which was opened to the public for telescope viewing this spring, and solar observing (when weather permits). It also will include hands-on educational activities centered around the science the UA conducts on Mount Lemmon, one of the highest mountaintops in the continental United States.
Prominent scientists from the UA’s Laboratory for Tree-Ring Research, Steward Observatory, Lunar and Planetary Laboratory and other departments in the UA College of Science will serve as facilitators.
"DiscoveryDays offers an educational adventure to the science enthusiast," said Valerie Grindle, executive officer for the Mount Lemmon SkyCenter. "These programs provide an opportunity to gain a better understanding of our planet, and others, from world-renowned experts in a beautiful mountain setting."
The SkyCenter is located on 9,157-foot Mount Lemmon in the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson. The access road to the observatory begins at the very end of the scenic and popular Mount Lemmon Highway, beyond Mount Lemmon Ski Valley. The 30-mile Mount Lemmon Highway, also known as the Catalina Highway, winds more than 6,000 feet up through six distinct ecosystems on Mount Lemmon, one of 27 "sky islands" unique to the U.S. Southwest.
While topics are still being finalized for some dates, below is a current program schedule through August:
- Saturday, July 26: Ecology, sky island biogeography, tree-ring science, hazardous asteroids, Phoenix Mars Mission
- Sunday, July 27: Astronomy, Mount Lemmon hummingbirds
- Saturday, Aug. 2: Sky island biogeography, tree-ring science, astronomy, Phoenix Mars Mission
- Sunday, Aug. 3: No program
- Saturday, Aug. 9: Astronomy, hazardous asteroids
- Sunday, Aug. 10: Ecology, Mount Lemmon hummingbirds, sky island biogeography, tree-ring science
- Saturday, Aug. 16: Sky island biogeography, tree-ring science, astronomy, Phoenix Mars Mission
- Sunday, Aug. 17: No program
- Saturday, Aug. 23: No program
- Sunday, Aug. 24: Mount Lemmon Hummingbirds, hazardous asteroids
- Saturday, Aug. 30: Sky island biogeography, tree-ring science, hazardous asteroids, Phoenix Mars Mission
- Sunday, Aug. 31: TBA
- Future dates: TBA
The Mount Lemmon SkyCenter is operated under permit from the United States Forest Service.
et cetera
- What | DiscoveryDays
- When | Weekends through summer monsoon season
- Where | Mount Lemmon SkyCenter
- Extra Info |
Cost: $40/person (lunch is included)
Reservations are required
Visitors are encouraged to bring their cameras and binoculars
- Contact Info
Mount Lemmon SkyCenter
520-626-8122
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