The Kitt Peak National Observatory, located just over 50 miles outside of Tucson, Arizona, is offering an experience like no other for astronomy enthusiasts. For a price of $945 – $1,350, guests can partake in an overnight stay that includes the use of powerful telescopes, dinner, and a dorm room. The experience lasts for 20 hours, from 3 pm to 11 am the following day.
During their visit, guests are assigned to one of four telescopes and will be assisted by a professional scientist throughout their stargazing adventures. Celestial bodies such as Jupiter, Mars, and Pluto may all be viewable in one night, depending on the conditions. While prior experience in astronomy is not necessary, guests are encouraged to email in advance if there are specific objects they would like to observe.
The overnight program at Kitt Peak has become extremely popular, with all dates currently sold out through the end of the year. The observatory, which is operated by the National Science Foundation’s NOIRLab, has been welcoming guests since around 1998 and was temporarily closed due to the pandemic and the 2022 Contreras Fire. However, the facilities have since reopened to the public in June 2023.
Guests at Kitt Peak will have the opportunity to use the Levine 0.4-meter telescope and the 0.5-meter telescope, as well as the roll-off roof observatory, all of which offer breathtaking views of the night sky. Additionally, the facility features telescopes that are among the most impressive in the world, including the Nicholas U. Mayall 4-meter telescope and the WIYN 3.5-meter telescope.
Visitors speak highly of their experiences at Kitt Peak, with one former guest noting that while there were occasional malfunctions with the telescopes, he received a partial refund and had no complaints about the overall experience.
The allure of experiencing the wonders of the cosmos in such a unique and personalized way has made the overnight stay program at Kitt Peak National Observatory an extremely sought-after opportunity for astronomy enthusiasts.