Visit to Lowell Observatory

October 27th, 2010 | by sbieger |

My wife and brother-in-law and I spent time in Arizona in May of 2009, mainly to see the Grand Canyon. We stayed in Flagstaff for most of that time since it was also near Sedona, Meteor Crater and some other “Grand” sites around northern Arizona. As wonderful as the five days around the Canyon was though, the trip to the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff was a special treat.

This was my first trip to a truly historic observatory, although there are several on my list for the future (Yerkes, Palomar, etc). The site is very accessible, just up on a ridge overlooking the town of Flagstaff, barely a 10 minute drive from the downtown strip and Route 66. Since the city has long been aware of the significance of light pollution, the light ordinance there makes for a very decent sky view.

Entering the facility up on Mars Hill and getting into the visitor center felt like walking on hallowed ground. Once getting tickets, you are shown a documentary film about the site, its history and the discoveries made there, especially by Percival Lowell and Clyde Tombaugh. There is a small museum on the site where many of the instruments are on display, including the blinker used by Tombaugh to discover Pluto.

Of course, when you’re at an observatory you want to observe through the telescope. And it was a beautiful clear night with very good seeing conditions. I stepped into the observatory and was greeted by Brian Skiff, one of the research assistants who has been there since 1977. He checked the sighting on Alvin Clark 24 inch refractor since the scope clock drive was out of action.  And I stepped up to the most gorgeous view of Saturn I’ve ever had. It was still twilight not too long after sunset and the planet popped right out at me with four of it’s moons all off to one side - Titan, Rhea, Tethys and Dione!! I guess the view was something 120x to 150x, but it was just wonderful.

Brian and I spoke for a short time while I just stood there like a kid at Christmas, staring up through the dome. Soon after my first look I waited and got another peek before the crowd arrived. This time I got my first view of Enceladus out on the left side just past the ring system (Mimas might have also been visible that night if it weren’t for it’s close proximity to the rings).

In any case, the view was still amazing and entire experience breath taking. When you visit all the way from Georgia, There is nothing quite like those clear Arizona skies!

Here are several photos from Lowell Observatory.

Steve speaking with Brian Skiff at the Alvin Clark 24 inch refractor.

Looking skyward with the Alvin Clark 24 inch

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