Prescott Observatory
Image: Wikimedia Commons
South of Prescott, Arizona, Prescott Observatory has grown from an amateur project into a working cosmology research facility.
About Prescott Observatory
The observatory was originally built by amateur astronomer Paul G. Comba, a prolific discoverer of minor planets. It's now run by Matt Francis and was refurbished in 2011, with its research today focused on cosmology.
Telescopes & research
Its main instrument is a PlaneWave CDK 24-inch telescope, paired with two Takahashi wide-field refractors. Nearby, the Embry-Riddle Prescott Observatory Complex - ranked among the country's top college observatory facilities - adds an Optical Observatory and a Radio Observatory to the area's astronomical infrastructure.
Location & getting there
The observatory sits south of Prescott, in the high country of central Arizona.
Visiting Prescott Observatory
The Prescott Astronomy Club meets monthly, on the first Wednesday from 6 to 8 pm at the Prescott Public Library - a good starting point for anyone wanting to connect with local astronomers before visiting the observatory itself.
See your named star from here
A 24-inch research telescope built for cosmology has more than enough precision to find a single named star's coordinates. Bring your Star Register certificate's right ascension and declination along on a visit. Name a star or browse the catalogue to get started.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check Google Maps for current times before you travel.