Kitt Peak Nightly Viewing Program -- IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS + PARENTS

This information is directly from Kitt Peak and NOAO. https://www.noao.edu/kpvc/Prog/nop.php

Please note the info about what to wear and the electronic policy.

***Please Carefully Read***

STATUS/CONFIRMATION CALL:You should receive a call from us on the afternoon of your program to confirm whether the program will be proceeding that night, altered to a different program due to clouds, or cancelled. If you have not heard from us by2 p.m.on the afternoon of your program, please call us at520-318-8726and speak with a staff member. Please make certain to have your phone with you and turned on as you tour southern Arizona on the afternoon of your program so that you may be reached. If your program will be canceled by us or revert to a "Weather Program" we will also send an email to your email address that we have on file.

PAYMENT:

Because of heavy demand and limited seating, we require a credit card to hold your space for the program but weDO NOTcharge your card in advance. You may pay with U.S. currency, check or credit card when you arrive for your program. Those who cancel or reschedule later than1:00 PMbefore the date of the program, will be charged a fee of $25.00 per party member, and those who do not show up for a program will be charged the full price, as stated in the Cancellation/Reschedule Policy below.

CANCELLATION/RESCHEDULE POLICY:

Cancellations or requests to reschedule must be made no later than1:00 PMon the day before the originally scheduled program. Otherwise, you will be charged a $25.00 fee for each person in your party. Registered participants who do not call to cancel or reschedule by3:00 PMon the day of their program, and do not show, will be charged the full program fee.

DO CLOUDS IMPACT MY PROGRAM?

Nightly Observing Programs (NOP) are held regardless of cloudy or clear weather. In the event of cloudy weather, a series of unique indoor presentations, hands on activities and behind the scenes telescope tours will be provided, all on the beautifulKittPeakmountaintop.Please note:refunds or discounts due to clouds or inclement weather at the start or any point during the program will not be provided.

In the event that we cancel your program in advance due to anticipated dangerous weather, heavy fog, equipment problems, wild fires, or other conditions beyond our control you will not be charged any fees or deposits. When making the decision to cancel a program we look at the forecasted conditions near the start time of the program and the likely program end time. Even if conditions look pleasant near the program start but are anticipated to become hazardous hours later near the end of the program, we will cancel the program.

DRESS WARMLY:

You will be outside or in an unheated observatory for a majority of the evening, so please bring plenty of layered clothing. We are 15 to 25 degrees cooler than Tucson with exposure to additional wind chills. From late fall through mid-spring, hats, gloves, warm socks and insulated jackets are strongly advised. Bringing a blanket is also recommended in cooler months. It is better to bring a few extra clothes or blankets you end up not using than to be uncomfortable during your night program.

AGE RESTRICTIONS:

Due to the nature of the program and its location, it is strongly not recommended for children under the age of 8 years. Parents or guardians are fully responsible for the conduct of accompanying minors. Disruptive youth (or adults) may be asked to remove themselves from the program without receiving a refund.

DRIVING AND ARRIVAL TIME:

We need all guests on the mountain and checked in at the Visitor Center before sunset, so please do not arrive later than your check-in time. Keep in mind that we are at least a 90 minutes drive from downtown Tucson. Allow plenty of drive time. Upon your arrival, park in the parking lot near to the Visitor Center. NOTE: If you arrive after4:00 p.m.and you see the gate located near the beginning of the Observatory road (AZ State Route 386) is closed only in the right lane, please carefully drive around it and proceed up the mountain.

KittPeakNational Observatory does not have a street address. It is on a mountain calledKittPeak. We are located 56 miles southwest of central Tucson. If you are using a GPS device you can try entering "intersection of Arizona Route 86 and Arizona Route 386". This will get you to the turn off for the road leading up the mountain toKittPeak. Route 386 is the road leading up to the observatory. From this point, allow 30 minutes more driving time to reach the Visitor Center. PLEASE NOTE: Some online mapping programs and GPS units may point you to the NOAO/KittPeak Administrative Offices located on Cherry Avenue in Tucson. Do NOT proceed there! TheKittPeakVisitor Center is located 56 MILES WEST from those offices near the university.

If your mapping program or GPS allows you to enter latitude and longitude then here is the position near the center of theKittPeakNational Observatory campus: 31 57' 32" N, 111 35' 52" W .

SPECIAL CONTROL OF LIGHTING AFTER DARK

We operate in a very unique, special setting where we operate a public program while surrounded by larger astronomical research telescopes observing incredibly faint, distant objects.Astronomical research is the primary reason for the founding ofKittPeakand it can only continue if strict steps are taken to control stray light. From start to the end of the program, you are required to follow our procedures to reduce and redirect stray light.We will have you line up your vehicle in a particular caravan formation, cover your headlights, require everyone to wait until the end of the program for departure as a single group, and restrict your use after sunset of light emitting devices such as cell phones, cameras, and tablets. Please note that no one may leave early. More details are provided at check in time.You may only participate in this program if you adhere to these and other policies that allow scientific research to continue alongside this public program. If you are unwilling to follow these procedures, please contact us immediately to cancel your reservation.

INTERNATIONAL GUESTS:

Arizona State Route 86 has a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint. If you are visiting from outside the U.S. please bring your passports with you to avoid any potential difficulties.

PROGRAM MEALS:

The evening program meals include a sandwich and a few snacks. A Regular Meal features a turkey sandwich on a croissant roll while the Vegetarian Meal offers a vegetable sandwich on a croissant roll. Check the information near the top of this form to make sure you indicated a food choice for your visit. Our kitchen is unable to guarantee that our meals are gluten or allergen free. If this is a problem, please feel free to bring your own meal.

The Visitor Center gift shop offers small snacks for sale but no major meal components. Please plan for your needs accordingly. If you plan on visiting most of the day in addition to your night program, bring food and drink with you since lunch meal service is not available on the mountain. Picnic tables are available.

SAFETY:

Please watch carefully for road hazards driving up to or leaving the summit such as bicyclists, wildlife, roaming cows and horses, falling rocks, and ice in the winter months. Obey all posted speed limit signs. Do not pass other vehicles on the mountain road. There are no nearby gas stations so make certain you have enough gas in your car for your return trip.

SMOKING & ALCOHOL:

Extinguish and keep all smoking material INSIDE your vehicle. This area has been suffering severe drought conditions and the risk of fire is very high year-round. Smoking is not permitted anywhere on Observatory grounds. No alcohol possession or consumption is permitted on the Tohono O'odham Reservation andKittPeakNational Observatory is located on this reservation.

PETS:

If you are traveling with a pet you should carefully consider if it is appropriate to visit the Observatory. Never leave any pet in a car in Arizona, even with windows cracked, for any length of time any time of the year. If you have a service animal, you may bring it along on your visit but be prepared to offer proof of its status as a service animal.

ELECTRONICS:

Cameras are welcome as are cell phones switched to "airplane mode". No cell phone use is permitted on the mountaintop since the observatory is home to two large radio telescopes. No Wi-Fi is available.

MORE INFORMATION & QUESTIONS:

Please view our website athttp://www.noao.edu/kpvcor call the Visitor Center at520-318-8726.

We look forward to hosting you in this adventure of exploring the universe!