United States Naval Observatory Flagstaff Station
Satellite imagery: Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics
High in the ponderosa pine country near Flagstaff, Arizona, the United States Naval Observatory Flagstaff Station (NOFS) serves as the U.S. Navy's dedicated dark-sky observing site.
About United States Naval Observatory Flagstaff Station
NOFS is the national dark-sky observing facility operated under the United States Naval Observatory (USNO). Together, NOFS and USNO act as the Celestial Reference Frame manager for the U.S. Secretary of Defense, supporting the precise positional astronomy that underpins navigation and timekeeping systems.
History
The station was established in 1955, chosen for its high elevation and dark Arizona skies, well away from the urban light pollution that had increasingly affected observatories closer to major cities.
Location & getting there
NOFS sits near Flagstaff, Arizona, at an elevation of 2,273 metres, in a region long prized by astronomers for its clear, dry, high-altitude air.
Visiting United States Naval Observatory Flagstaff Station
As a U.S. Navy facility supporting national reference-frame work, general public access is limited. Check the observatory's official website before planning a visit or contacting the site.
See your named star from here
Flagstaff's dark, high-altitude sky has long made this stretch of Arizona a favourite for precision astronomy, and it's just as good a place to look for a star you've named yourself. Any star's coordinates can be found from anywhere with a telescope. Browse our packages or the star catalogue.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check Google Maps for current times before you travel.
