Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory

The Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory is the largest field installation of the Smithsonian Institution Astrophysical Observatory aside from Cambridge, Massachusetts. Located at the base of Mt. Hopkins 35 miles south of Tucson, the observatory educates its visitors with displays on astrophysics, astronomy, natural science and cultural history.

Video presentations and guided tours are available to guests, including a bus trip to some of the mountain facilities. Popular exhibits include the multiple mirror telescope, a three-dimensional model of galaxy distribution in the universe and a touchable topographical map of the Santa Rita Mountains. There are also exhibits on the patio that allow visitors to view the landscape and night sky with observatory telescopes and binoculars.