On Friday, 4 October 2024, several Indiana University College of Arts + Sciences staff members and IU Astronomy Department and alumni and their families had a special visit to Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO). This was Mike and Laurraine's 11th opportunity out of 12 such special visits since the first one in 2002 to view some astronomical objects through the WIYN 3.5 meter telescope. The visit was courtesy of the Indiana University College of Arts + Sciences (Mike's alma mater). Our hosts for the visit were Executive Dean Rick Van Kooten, College of Arts + Sciences, Dr. John Salzer, IU Department of Astronomy, and Jeff Stuckey, Executive Director of Advancement, Office of Advancement, College of Arts + Sciences.

During the drive up the mountain I took some photographs of some of the observatories and one of the burned areas from the Contreras Fire at Kitt Peak National Observatory that occurred in June 2022.

Mike and Laurraine at Kitt Peak.

The Kitt Peak Visitor Center is celebrating 60 years of "Sharing the Wonder of Our Night Sky".

Some of the observatories at Kitt Peak.

Our group headed to our first event on the mountain.

Our special speakers.

A-Lan Reynolds, speaking about the Reynolds Field Station for Education & Science Research


Dr. John Salzer, speaking about the IU Department of Astronomy

IU provided dinner and a goodies bag with snacks for later in the night.

After dinner we went outside to watch the setting Sun. On the way, we passed a sign describing the WIYN Observatory.

Click or tap on image for larger version with readable text

Go to the Sunset report.

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