KITT PEAK NATIONAL OBSERVATORY

If we had to choose an observatory to visit absolutely in the United States, it would be Kitt Peak, in the very south of Arizona, 1 hour southwest of Tucson City! It is indeed the archetype of the "absolute" observatory, beautiful, isolated, installed at the top of its peak, in a region magnified by the desert, under a coronal blue sky from which one cannot detach oneself. It consists of 22 telescopes, including three "large diameters", 4 m, 3.5 m and 2.1 m, a spectacular solar tower, and antennas to study the stars in radio astronomy. From Route 86, you can quickly spot the immaculate white domes up there on their mountain, before taking the intersection and the road to heaven. Access to the observatory is free of charge. Visitors can walk nonchalantly around the site, and access the observation bays to see in detail the main instruments used by professionals. And to also understand how the curious solar tower, called the McMath-Pierce solar telescope, partly buried in the ground, works. Viewpoints also provide a superb view of the region. Guided tours are possible during the day, but also at night with absolutely unforgettable observation evenings. This observatory deserves a full day, including an evening. At noon, do not hesitate to take a break below the peak, at the level of the radio astronomical antenna located not far from the dome of the ARO 12-m (indication "picnic area"): the giant antenna, of extreme whiteness and located near the picnic tables, quietly points to the stars located light years away while you are satisfied with a few dishes well grounded. Surprising!