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Mirror Lab Tours

Steward Observatory is pleased to announce the availability of Mirror Lab tours beginning in January, 2009! A tour of the Mirror Lab on the campus offers a unique opportunity to experience the ground breaking work being done at our facility located under the UA football stadium. This tour will provide visitors with a behind the scenes look at cutting-edge optical technology and the revolutionary spin-casting processes involved in making giant telescope mirrors. Starting with the construction of the mold, to spin casting, to grinding and polishing, the final result is a light-weight mirror ready for transportation to a mountaintop observatory where it will peer into remote regions of the cosmos; exploring the edges of the universe in an effort to answer a vast array of astronomical questions and make new discoveries. Steward Observatory Mirror Lab played a major role in the design and building of thee Large Binocular Telescope (LBT) which took a decade to complete. It is the first of its kind; a new generation of giant optical telescopes that will produce images never before seen with such power and clarity. The LBT's two 8.4 meter (27.6 foot diameter) mirrors located on Mt graham in Southern Arizona, is the world's largest and most advanced telescope ever built. It has the ability to break the boundaries of astronomy and the universe; peering back towards the beginning of time.   Tour Information Tour days:   Tuesday and Friday Time:   1:00 PM 3:00 PM Tour length approximately 60-90 minutes Reservations:   Required in advance Cost:   $15 Adults $  8 Students (7 - 22 yrs) $13 Groups (10+) Payment:   Visa or MasterCard At the time of your reservation, your credit card will be charged by the University of Arizona Support Systems. In the event you cannot participate on the date and time indicated above, you will be given the opportunity to reschedule. If you cannot participate on a future date, you will be refunded the admission fee less a $2.50 per person cancellation charge. Or we can issue you a gift certificate, good for six months. Age requirement:   7+ years of age Group or School Tours:   Available Parking:   U of A Cherry Avenue Garage (Closest) see UA Parking Map Unfortunately there is no free street parking on or around the Univeristy of Arizona campus Special Considerations:   Visitors are required to wear closed-toed shoes for safety reasons as this a working facility Cameras are permitted Tour does involve climbing and descending stairs; although an elevator is available if necessary Contact: Cathi Duncan 520-626-8792 mirrorlab@as.arizona.edu cduncan@as.arizona.edu