Discovery Park Campus

Mount Graham International Observatory

The Mount Graham International Observatory (MGIO) is operated by Steward Observatory, the research arm for the Department of Astronomy at The University of Arizona. The MGIO consists of three telescopes: the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope, the Heinrich Hertz Submillimeter (Radio) Telescope of the Arizona Radio Observatory, and the Large Binocular Telescope, the world’s most powerful telescope.

The Discovery Park Campus at the Eastern Arizona College is the official tour agent for MGIO.  Public tours are conducted by advance reservation, beginning about mid-May through mid- November, weather permitting.

The tours feature a 40 mile trip to the MGIO site near the summit of scenic Mt. Graham and focus on the mountain’s rich history, geology, and diversity of life. The cool mountain air and a delicious sack lunch at the U.S. Forest Service’s Columbine Visitor’s Center will energize you for the guided tour of the three Observatory facilities.

To make reservations or for further information, please contact:

Eastern Arizona College's
Discovery Park Campus
1651 W. Discovery Park Blvd.
Safford, AZ 85546
Phone: (928) 428-6260
e-mail: discoverypark@eac.edu

The Tour...

Plan to arrive at the Discovery Park Campus – Gov Aker Observatory at 9:00 AM the day of the tour. History and ecology of the mountain and the astronomy activities on the mountain are presented in a brief orientation. The tour van leaves the campus at about 9:30 a.m. and returns about 4:30 p.m. Lunch is included in the ticket price of $40 per person. Some suggested items you may want to bring include:

• A jacket or sweater (cooler at high elevations)
• Comfortable closed-toe walking shoes
• Lip Balm (very dry at altitude)
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Hat
• Camera / Film
• Dramamine, if needed (mountain roads)
• Aspirin
• Bottle of water

Because of the altitude (10,500 feet) and the “thin air,” this tour is not recommended for those persons who may have a heart condition or respiratory problems. Children must be at least 8 years old and well supervised.

We require a minimum of six people for a tour to run. Please book your tour as early as possible to insure space is available for your family or group. Two weeks or more advance notice is preferable.

Please note: As per University of Arizona and Arizona Board of Regent's policy, the Mount Graham International Observatory is a Weapons Free Zone.