Saguaro Observatory
Satellite imagery: Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics
Saguaro Observatory is an unmanned USGS magnetic monitoring station near the Rincon Mountain Visitor Center in Saguaro National Park, Arizona.
About Saguaro Observatory
The station is one of fourteen magnetic observatories the USGS Geomagnetism Program operates across the United States and its territories. It continuously records Earth's magnetic field for use in geomagnetic mapping, surveying, research, and magnetic storm assessment.
Location & getting there
The station sits within Saguaro National Park near Tucson, Arizona, a park recognised as an Urban Night Sky Place and an astro-tourism destination in its own right thanks to its dark desert skies.
Visiting Saguaro Observatory
The magnetic monitoring station itself is unstaffed and not a public visitor attraction, but Saguaro National Park welcomes visitors and is known for its stargazing opportunities. Check the National Park Service website for current park hours.
See your named star from here
Saguaro National Park's dark skies, recognised for astro-tourism, make it a fitting place to look for the coordinates of a named star with your own telescope. Explore more named stars in our catalogue.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check Google Maps for current times before you travel.