Steward Observatory Mirror Lab Tour

Tuesday, November 24, 2009
1 p.m., 3 p.m. - 2:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m.

A tour of the Mirror Lab on the University of Arizona campus offers a unique opportunity to experience the ground breaking work being done at our facility under the UA football stadium.

This tour will provide visitors with a behind the scenes look at cutting-edge optical technology and the revolutionary spin-casting processes involved in making giant telescope mirrors. Starting with the construction of the mold, to spin-casting, to grinding and polishing, the final result is a lightweight mirror ready for transportation to a mountaintop observatory where it will peer into remote regions of the cosmos, exploring the edges of the universe in an effort to answer a vast array of astronomical questions and make new discoveries.

The UA's Steward Observatory is the only place in the world where giant spin-cast telescope mirrors are produced. We look forward to showing you how this is done and how we are changing the way astronomers and telescopes explore the universe today and in the future.

Admission: $15 adults, $8 students
Audience: All, Small (1-50)