02/07/2024

The Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab tours are starting again in mid-April 2024. Tickets are on sale now for April 15 - 30th. 

More information will be announced as it becomes available.
We look forward to seeing you soon!

Our tour is different now! 

We will meet at the Steward Observatory Lobby and begin our tour at the Steward Observatory Dome. After our lecture, we will walk to the facility and review the process in person. 

For accessibility requests, please get in touch with vanngress@arizona.edu.

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 highly 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 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.

Meeting time is 12:45 PM at Steward Observatory Lobby (933 Cherry Ave - Tucson, AZ 85719)

Tour begins promptly at 1 PM Monday - Friday - Starting April 15th

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 highly 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 Vannessa Gressieux at 520-626-8792 or rfcml.tours@gmail.com(link sends e-mail)

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. Please call UA Parking and Transportation for parking options - (520) 626-7275)
Location

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

Second: 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 Vannessa Gressieux | 520-626-8792 | rfcml.tours@gmail.com (link sends e-mail)
Accommodations To find accommodations nearby, visit HotelsCombined