Large Binocular Telescope Tour

ByKelly Howard March 28, 2024 0
  •  July 27, 2024
     10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Join us for this special AZLRO-only tour of the world’s largest optical telescope, the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT).  The tour will be hosted by our own James Howard, a former LBT engineer.
We will obtain US Forest Service Squirrel permits for the group.  Registration will be cut off on July 16 to allow time for them to be issued.
We only have 20 spots available.  Each membership is allowed 2 spots.  If you have young children and would like to bring them, please contact James directly, james@azlro.org.
A little about the telescope:

The Large Binocular Telescope conducts observations with two 8.4m- diameter mirrors on a common mount, providing a collecting area equal to a single 11.8m mirror and interferometric capability with an edge-to-edge baseline of 22.8m. With these attributes, the LBT is the first of the emerging generation of Extremely Large Telescopes.

Meeting Location: Treasure Park Campground
Latitude

32° 39′ 49.0000″ N

Longitude

109° 52′ 16.0000″ W

From Safford, Arizona: Take State Route 191 south for 6 miles. Turn right onto State Route 366/Swift Trail and travel 23 miles to the Treasure Park Campground entrance (MM 137), following the loop road to the East campsite.

From Tucson, Arizona: Take I-10 east for 90 miles. Take exit 352 for State Route 191, and turn left toward Safford. Drive 26.3 miles north and turn left on State Route 366/Swift Trail. Continue for 23 miles to the Treasure Park Campground entrance (MM 137), following the loop road to the East campsite.

Time: 10 am sharp!  We will leave you behind if you are not there.  It takes a full hour to drive from the base of Mt. Graham to Treasure park.  Don’t let the milage fool you, it is a windy mountianous road.
Departure: 10 am – We recommend you camp with us the night before, so you won’t be late.
Communication: 146.54
General: The telescope is located at an elevation of 10,000 feet.  It is not recommended for anyone with breathing or health related issues.  You will need to traverse 3 to 5 flights of stairs at various times during the tour.
Requirements for the Mt. Graham Red Squirrel Permit:
  1. The LBT is located in the Mt. Graham Red Squirrel Refugium.  In order to obtain a permit you will be required to give us your name, address, phone number, email, make/model and license plate information for you vehicle.
  2. No dogs or other pets are allowed.  Not even in vehicles.  (They are allowed to stay at the campground in a vehicle or camper.)
  3. No weapons of any kind.  This includes knife blades greater than 5 inches in length.
  4. Children must be with and under the control of their parents at all times.
NO EXCEPTIONS will be made for any of these requirements.  If you don’t agree with these, please don’t sign up.

 

 

Details Price Qty
Free Ticketshow details + $0.00 USD   Goes On Sale
May 21, 2024

Trail Leader

  • James Howard
    James is a long time club member, Trail Leader and currently drives a new Defender 110.

Venue:  

Venue Website:

Description:

The Large Binocular Telescope conducts observations with two 8.4m- diameter mirrors on a common mount, providing a collecting area equal to a single 11.8m mirror and interferometric capability with an edge-to-edge baseline of 22.8m. With these attributes, the LBT is the first of the emerging generation of Extremely Large Telescopes.

The telescope is located on Mt Graham in southeast Arizona, which at 3200m is one of the highest observatory sites in North America. The LBT Observatory operates as an international collaboration with partners in Germany, Italy, and the United States.

Prev Summer Campout on Mt. Graham
Next AZLRO Trail - Casner Mountain Trail

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