05/30/2023

The Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab tours are starting again in 2024.  More information will be announced as it becomes available.  We look forward to seeing you soon!

Tours at the Richard F Caris Mirror Lab are Monday through Friday at 1 pm and as available at 3 pm. Please click on the red button to the left of this page, and it will take you to specific dates and times.

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 highly recommend sneakers for ease, safety, and comfort. 

If you are looking for a particular date, please see the information below to contact us for more details. For groups of 12 or more, please call our office number to make large group arrangements. We are happy to host your group!

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 involved in making the next generation of telescopes that will explore deep into outer space and produce cutting-edge scientific research.   The University of Arizona, 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 be changing the way 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.