Fred L. Whipple Observatory and Desert Blooms!

Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory

 is located in the Santa Rita Range on
Mount Hopkins and the elevations is 8,550 feet.
We can see the observatory from our house.

Multiple Mirror Telescope is a joint facility of the
Smithsonian Institution and the University of Arizona.

 In 1999 the MMT was replaced by a single 6.5-meter mirror.

Tilted on its side, loaded on a semi for a 10 mile trip
 on a single-lane dirt road to the top!
 Amazing!

Fantastic views.

Almost there.
We stopped to see the helicopter landing pad and

 a few smaller telescopes on the ridge
used by several different collages.

 Here is where we stopped for lunch. They took us up
in Suburbans because of the 23% grade and there is no
place for the bus to turn around.

Check out the road to get to the top!

Not very many guide rails.

 Fred L. Whipple Observatory

 The whole building rotates.

They keep it very cool inside because of all the electronics.

Bring a jacket when you plan to visit. 

The white and blue area is the mine and a view of Green Valley.

 Rainbow cactus.

 Back at the Visitor Center.

Scott & Ray playing around!
Since Scott had to get up early,
Ray thought he should take a nap.
The tour is from 8:30 am - 3:00 pm. and it is well
worth your time to learn what the observatory is all about.

We were blessed to see the desert in bloom before
leaving town for four months!
Here are a few examples.

I am saving the best for last. 

Saguaro in Bloom!

Click on the link to see these splendid cactus.

So cute to see the Gambel Quails with their babies running 

across the street as we head out for our summer travels!