• Introduction
• Information and Rates
• AOP Image Gallery
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Resources and Equipment
• Available Dates
• Preparation
  • Visual
  • CCD Imaging
  • Astrophotography
• Remote Observing
• AOP Visitor Info
• Contributors
• WebCam Images
• Digital Camera Images
• AOP Newsletter
• AOP Staff
• KPNO Observer’s Calendars
• Nightly Observing Program

The Advanced Observing Program is a public program in which participants use the high-tech resources of the Kitt Peak Visitor Center Observatory to explore the Universe. Don’t miss our images!

New Images!

• NGC 253
• Rosette Nebula
• M 31

Quick Rate Info

• $425/night, up to 2 people
• $80/night/person, room and board, single occupancy
• $65/night/person, double occupancy

Resources and Equipment

20" RC Observatory

• RC Optical Systems 20in, f/8.4 Ritchey-Chretien reflector (Carbon Truss) on a Paramount ME mount
• RC Optical Systems Telescope Control Center (TCC) hardware and software.
• Takahashi 106 FSQ (106mm, f/5) refractor
• Astrophysics Convertible 2in Barlow (for planets, ie. f/16.8)
• SBIG ST-6303E (Non-ABG) CCD camera with auto-guider (new!)
• 8-position color filter wheel with Astrodon filters (L,R,G,B, Hydrogen-alpha)
• SBIG AO-L Adaptive Optics System
• Canon EOS 5D Digital Camera
• Philips ToUCam (webcam)
• TheSky6 (Professional Edition) software database and pointing tool
• T-point software to minimize telescope pointing errors.
• Mira image processing software
• Adobe Photoshop CS2 image processing software
• MaximDL camera control and basic on-site image processing
• RegiStar image processing software.

Roll-Off-Roof (ROR) Observatory

• RC Optical Systems 16in, f/8.4 Ritchey-Chretien reflector (Carbon Truss) on a Paramount ME mount
• RC Optical Systems Telescope Control Center (TCC) hardware and software.
• TEC APO140ED (140mm, f/7) refractor
• Astrophysics Convertible 2in Barlow (for planets, ie. f/16.8)
• SBIG ST-6303E (Non-ABG) CCD camera with auto-guider and color filter wheel (new!)
• SBIG AO-L Adaptive Optics System
• Canon Rebel Digital Camera
• Philips ToUCam (webcam)
• TheSky6 (Professional Edition) software database and pointing tool
• T-point software to minimize telescope pointing errors.
• Mira image processing software
• Adobe Photoshop CS2 image processing software
• MaximDL camera control and basic on-site image processing
• RegiStar image processing software.

16" SCT Observatory

• Meade 16in LX-200, f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain reflector on a fork mount.
• TeleVue 76mm (f/6.3) APO refractor
• JMI NGF-S 2in focuser with Digital Readout
• Celestron f/6.3 and Optec f/3.3 focal reducers
• Astrophysics Convertible 2in Barlow (for planets, ie. f/20)
• SBIG ST8XE (Non-ABG) CCD camera with auto-guider
• SBIG CFW-8 color filter wheel (L,R,G,B and Hydrogen-alpha)
• SBIG AO-7 Adaptive Optics System
• Canon Rebel Digital Camera
• Philips ToUCam (webcam)
• TheSky6 (Professional Edition) software database and pointing tool
• T-point software to minimize telescope pointing errors.
• Mira image processing software
• Adobe Photoshop CS2 image processing software
• MaximDL camera control and basic on-site image processing
• RegiStar image processing software.

Astrophotography

• Platform type camera mount (piggy-back)
• T-Rings
  • Pentax, Olympus, Minolta, Canon, Nikon
• Off-axis Guider
• Lighted reticule (variable illumination)

Filters

• Deep Sky, UHC, H-Beta, O-III, Moon
• Full selection of color filters
• Broadband Skyglow

Miscellaneous

• Full selection of eyepieces including:
  • 9mm Nagler
  • 17mm Nagler
  • 31mm Nagler
  • 22mm Panoptic
• 7x50 Binoculars
• Starcharts (TheSky software, Uranometria, SkyAtlas 2000)
• TELRAD (for learning how to point and find objects)

The National Optical Astronomy Observatory is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA), Inc. under cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation.

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