Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab tour tickets are available for the summer.

Please read below as our tour has changed.

For inquiries, the best method to reach us is by sending an email message to rfcml.tours@gmail.com.  Our phone number has changed to 520-626-8122.

We will meet at the lobby of Steward Observatory and begin our tour at the Steward Observatory Dome. After our presentation, we will walk to the Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab facility and review the process in person. 

For accessibility requests, please contact rfcml.tours@gmail.com.

A portion of the tour involves walking, climbing, and descending stairs.

We require our guests to wear closed-toed flat shoes for safety and comfort. You will not be permitted to attend the tour without closed-toe flat shoes. We recommend sneakers for ease, safety, and comfort. Additionally, our visitors must only bring what fits comfortably in their pockets. The facility will not permit water bottles, bags, or other items. You will not be allowed to attend the tour with personal items. 

This 90-minute tour provides a unique opportunity to learn how innovative engineering and optical technology melds with manufacturing techniques to produce the largest and most advanced giant (8.4 meters / 27 ft)  telescope mirrors in the world on the University of Arizona campus.

Visitors will see the unparalleled technology and revolutionary processes in making the next generation of telescopes that will explore deep into outer space and produce cutting-edge scientific research.   The University of Arizona's College of Science is ranked #1 among observational, theoretical, and space astronomy programs in the U.S. Come see why!

These new generation giant optical telescopes will change how we explore the Universe! This instrument will allow astronomers to break the boundaries of astronomy and the Universe, peering back to the beginning of time to answer a vast array of astronomical questions.  

INFORMATION  
Dates Monday through Friday
Time

Tours average 90 minutes in length.

Please arrive 15 minutes before the start of the tour to check-in with our tour leaders at Steward Observatory, 933 Cherry Ave., Tucson, AZ.  The tour begins promptly.

THE TOUR HAS CHANGED:

Please do not show up at the mirror lab facility.  We now meet at the lobby of Steward Observatory and begin our tour at the Steward Observatory Dome.  After our presentation, we will walk to the Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab facility and view the process in person.
Requirements

Your tour of the Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab will take you through a large-scale scientific research and development facility.  A portion of the tour involves walking, as well as climbing and descending stairs. We require our guests to wear closed-toed flat shoes for safety and comfort. You will not be permitted to attend the tour without closed-toe flat shoes. We recommend sneakers for ease, safety, and comfort. 

Public tour guests must not bring personal belongings. Please leave all belongings (water bottles, purses, bags) that do not fit comfortably in pockets at another location. We cannot permit bags of any kind, water bottles, or items that cannot fit in a pocket. You will not be permitted on the tour if you have these items.

If you have questions concerning access or disability-related accommodations, please contact 520-626-8122 or rfcml.tours@gmail.com(link sends e-mail) - EMAIL is preferred. 

Age:  10+ years - All minors must be accompanied by an adult. 
Cost Adults $25 | Students with ID $20 
School and Group Tours Available with advanced coordination 
Parking

Cherry Avenue (closest) or South Stadium Garage see UA Parking Map.

Self-Pay (Please note: motorcycles are not permitted to park in Cherry Garage.)

Parking  Payment Instructions

  1. Download the Passport Parking app from the Apple App Store or Google Play store.
  2. Create an account with your mobile phone number or email address. Credit card and license plate numbers are required.
  3. Park anywhere except for restricted spaces (reserved, accessible, etc.).
  4. Enter Zone # for your parking location and pay for your parking session from your phone.
  5. Get alerts when your parking session is about to end. Extend your time remotely if you need to stay longer.
  6. The option to receive an email receipt at the end of your parking session.

For parking options, please call UA Parking and Transportation at (520) 626-7275.
Location

First meeting place: Steward Observatory, 933 Cherry Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719

Then walk to 527 National Championship Drive.  The Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab is located on the east side of the UA Football stadium, under Gate 4, outside the stadium.

Click here for Map
Contact Tours | 520-626-8122 | rfcml.tours@gmail.com (link sends e-mail)
Accommodations To find accommodations nearby, visit HotelsCombined