Feb 4 Gem Show and Kitt Observatory

Saturday, February 4

Chap & Mam head out to Tucson shortly after we get up.  Today’s agenda includes Anita, Kevin, Greg and I going to the gem show and then heading further west for a program at the Kitt Observatory about an hour southwest of Tucson, where Tom and Sue will meet us.

The show is crazy busy today as we stop at two of the dozens of venues. You could spend days if you wanted to see everything!

Mam and Chap

Kevin finds a good deal on a cutting machine which will be shipped to him.  I find some nice cultured pearls and a basket, while Anita finds some cute earrings.  We opt for lunch at an In-‘n’-Out which is packed but moves quickly.   We visit Chap and Mam for a bit and enjoy looking at all the jewelry, stones, fossils, etc. on display! Chap says the "hot" stone this year is purple garnet from Tanzania. 

The Kitt Peak National Observatory is visible from miles away and the road up the mountain is steep with many switchbacks.  At least it has guardrails (mostly). 

Nice views on the way up.

We finally arrive at the Visitor’s Center where we check in. 

There are quite a few displays, including this plasma globe.

 This night observation program includes a sandwich picnic dinner, which is served about 5:30  to the group of about 30.  We are given a walking tour of the area while we watch the sun set,

then we are divided into two groups.  We spend one hour with a 20"telescope, checking out venus, orion nebula, the Andromeda galaxy (2.3M light years away), a binary star, a globular cluster and finally the moon.  The moon is quite bright tonight which makes it more difficult to see some stars. There are no photos allowed after sunset.

The next hour is a brief introduction to Astronomy and explanation of how to use a star chart.  We then go outside and practice, finding quite a few constellations.  We also use binoculars to check out some stars. It is very cold, even with coat, hat and gloves!  We are at close to 7000’!

The staff have covered all the cars’ headlights

and as we leave we carefully follow a lead vehicle about a mile down the mountain before they remove the covers.  This is to prevent light interference for the many telescopes being used for research.  There are quite a few atop this mountain,  including the rare McMaster solar telescope which is largely underground,  one which was used by the astronauts before their moon landing mission and SARA which is totally remotely accessed. Very interesting evening!

Greg drives Tom & Sue’s car back to Benson and we arrive home around 11:30. 

Goodnight!