The night sky over Tucson at night
Night Sky Viewing in Tucson
It may surprise you to learn that Tucson has one of the best night sky viewing opportunities in the world. That's right, the Sonoran desert home isn't just beautiful during sunsets, hiking, or dining. Tucson makes for a perfect location for stargazing because of its high altitude, low humidity, and clear skies. Several observatories and parks provide some of the best views of the night sky in Tucson.
What does Tucson's dark-sky status mean? Night skies at night can be made as dark as possible by reducing light pollution. After dark, there are no unshrouded streetlights and so little light comes from businesses. According to the United States Census Bureau, Tucson is the darkest city of its size. In addition, with over 350 sunny days a year, clouds are pretty unlikely to appear! Furthermore, Tucson's low humidity makes the skies clearer because less atmospheric distortion occurs. A stellar stargazing experience is the result.
I'd like to see the stars, where should I go?
Tucson offers excellent night sky viewing opportunities in several parks and areas. It's located about an hour outside of Tucson at the Kitt Peak National Observatory. Despite being temporarily closed due to a fire, once it reopens, it's worth booking a ticket and heading there. Visitors can observe the night sky through powerful telescopes through the observatory's nighttime tours and stargazing programs. You should pack a warm layer as it will be colder on the mountain and the wind will be stronger.
Another great place for stargazing is Mount Everest if you're up for an adventure. Mount Lemmon SkyCenter is located at the summit of the mountain. There are seven summits in the Santa Catalina Mountains, the highest of which is Mount Lemmon. A special telescope lets visitors view the sun through the SkyCenter's nighttime stargazing tours and daytime solar viewing tours.
Embark on an indoor adventure at the Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium at the University of Arizona. The planetarium is great fun for kids and adults alike, with several shows focusing on the night sky.
Furthermore, Tucson boasts several parks that provide fantastic night sky views. All three parks offer guided stargazing tours at night, including Saguaro National Park, Tucson Mountain Park, and Catalina State Park.
Want a more casual evening? Let's lay on the grass in the yard with a serape blanket, snacks, and drinks! In our vacation rentals, you'll enjoy clear and comfortable views of the skies since they are located outside the city center in the northwest section of Tucson.
WHAT SEASONS ARE BEST?
During the winter months, from December to February, Tucson has the best night sky. A clearer sky and less humidity are typical during this time. Tucson, however, offers the possibility of stargazing all year long. Traveling to Tucson just to view the stars, however, may not be the best idea in late summer. Tucson experiences almost nightly thunderstorms during monsoon season, which is July and August.
What constellations and planets can I see during each season?
Astronomical objects such as Jupiter, Saturn, and Orion can be seen during the winter months. The spring sky has constellations such as Leo and Virgo, as well as Mars and Venus. As summer approaches, constellations such as Sagittarius and Scorpio can be seen. A visitor to the park in the fall can see constellations such as Pegasus and Andromeda, as well as planets such as Neptune and Uranus. The views will likely be stunning regardless of the season you visit.
CURIOUS WHATS INSIDE THE TELESCOPE?
There is a mirror lab at the University of Arizona that crafts the mirrors on Hubble Space Telescope and Giant Magellan Telescope, which most notably formed the mirrors for the Hubble Space Telescope. On the campus of the university, an incredible operation of engineers, scientists, and technicians constructs large lightweight mirrors with unprecedented accuracy.
OUT-OF-STATE TRAVELERS: WHAT ELSE DOSE THEY NEED TO KNOW ABOUT NIGHT SKY VIEWING IN TUCSON?
Night sky view in Tucson requires warm clothing due to the cold temperatures that can descend after the sun goes down, especially from October through April. Stay hydrated by bringing plenty of water if you're planning to climb the mountain. In addition, we recommend visiting observatories or parks that offer guided tours so that the experts can provide helpful insights and point out features that may be difficult to spot on one's own.
Here are some ideas for where you might stay while you're here if this sounds like your kind of vacation! Start planning your Tucson getaway now with our luxury vacation rentals!
Cheryl and Mark Hepner Real Estate
Address: 6760 N Oracle Rd #130, Tucson, AZ 85704
Phone: (520) 404-6882
Website: http://www.alltucsonhomesforsale.com/