New Transportation Service to Kitt Peak: Adobe Shuttle of Tucson to Provide Shuttle To/From Kitt Peak

14 September 2006

Kitt Peak National Observatory boasts the greatest number of research telescopes on one mountain anywhere in the world. In addition to the twenty-five optical and two radio telescopes, Kitt Peak also offers an attractive visitor center complete with exhibits, and a gift shop, daily telescope tours, and world-renowned nightly public observing programs by reservation. However, until now, there was no shuttle transportation available for those people who would prefer not driving up the winding mountain road to the observatory.

Now all that is changing. Adobe Shuttle of Tucson, a subsidiary of Adobe Car & Van Rental of Tucson, has announced that they will provide, for a paid fee, shuttle services for day visitors and those attending the nightly stargazing program. The shuttle will pick up passengers at area hotels, or people can drive to either of Adobe Car & Van Rental’s locations: the midtown location at 3150 East Grant Road near Country Club, or the airport location at 6801 South Tucson Blvd. in the Clarion Hotel. Visitors may leave their cars in Adobe’s protected lots at either location.

“We are aware that the mountain trail can be a little intimidating, especially at night when the restricted-lighting rules prohibit the use of headlights for the first mile of the road,” said Richard Fedele, Manager of the Public Outreach Department for Kitt Peak National Observatory. “This new service through Adobe Shuttle will allow people who previously could not access the mountain to attend one of Kitt Peak’s many educational programs.”

Adobe Shuttle is not affiliated in any way with Kitt Peak; therefore, reservations for the shuttle service must be made directly through the Adobe office at (520) 790-2277. Fees are determined by the number of people with reservations, based on a six hour pickup/drop off period, with extra charges for additional hours.

Visitors to wishing to attend the Nightly Observing Program at Kitt Peak will still need to make reservations for the program through the Kitt Peak Visitor Center at (520) 318-8726. The daytime program at Kitt Peak (from 9 a.m.-3:45 p.m.) does not require reservations.

The visitor center contains numerous displays and exhibits highlighting astronomical research. Interactive exhibits introduce users to the nature of light and demonstrate how astronomers study it to unravel the mysteries of the Universe. Telescope models offer a detailed look at state-of-the-art observatories. And for those who wish to relax while learning, a theater features current astronomical discoveries and topics to pique your curiosity.

 

More information

Kitt Peak National Observatory is part of the National Optical Astronomy Observatory, Tucson, Arizona, which is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy Inc. (AURA), under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation.

Contacts

Douglas Isbell
Office of Public Affairs and Educational OutreachNational Optical Astronomy Observatory
Tel: 520/318-8214
Email: disbell@noao.edu