San Pedro Valley Observatory

San Pedro Valley Observatory sits on a small hill overlooking the San Pedro River Valley, just east of Benson, Arizona, in the United States.

About San Pedro Valley Observatory

Founded in 1990 by optician Max Bray and pathologist Dr. Eduardo Vega, the observatory was originally known as Vega-Bray Observatory. Its main instrument is a 20-inch Maksutov catadioptric telescope, permanently mounted in a dome and the largest of its kind in Arizona, alongside the Hoot-Vega Radio Telescope.

History

The site operated as a bed & breakfast from 1989 to 1997 before reopening in September 2010 under new management, when it was rebranded from Vega-Bray Observatory to its current name, San Pedro Valley Observatory.

Telescopes & research

Beyond its 20-inch Maksutov telescope, the observatory is also home to the Hoot-Vega Radio Telescope, giving visitors and researchers a look at both optical and radio astronomy from the same site.

Location & getting there

The observatory sits east of Benson, Arizona, overlooking the San Pedro River Valley, part of our North America region listing — a stretch of the Arizona desert known for clear, dark skies.

Visiting San Pedro Valley Observatory

The observatory hosts stargazing and digital astrophotography sessions. For bookings and current schedules, contact it at 1-888-455-6934 or 520-226-3227, or check the official website before travelling.

See your named star from here

A 20-inch telescope built for public stargazing is exactly the kind of instrument that can be pointed at a named star's coordinates — its right ascension and declination. Browse the catalogue or name a star to plan your own night under Arizona's skies.