Remote-Imaging Program

Just because you can’t travel to Kitt Peak doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of our telescopes and some dark skies. The Kitt Peak Visitor Center is happy to announce our Remote-Imaging Program. Reserve one of our public telescopes for a night of astro-imaging. Staff will have the observatory open and the telescope homed when you log in. You’ll be given a set of instructions for operating the telescope with a simple, straightforward program that allows you to input all your targets and just press a button to start. The software will do the rest. Your raw data, including calibration frames, will be made available to you within 24 hours. Or choose the staff-assisted add-on to work with a guide who will conduct your session. We will even process your images.

Sky Calendar

Prior to making your reservation, check this calendar for moon phases to better your chances of getting a dark night. Look at the “%illum” column under “Moon” and try to choose dates with illuminations between 0 and 25 percent. https://noirlab.edu/science/observing-noirlab/observing-kitt-peak/ephemeris-kitt-peak-observers-calendar/2023.

Price
$199/night
Staff-assisted upgrade $115

Weather and Cancellations. If the weather, including wind, on the night of your program becomes unsuitable for imaging prior to the start of your run, we can switch you to the other observatory if available, switch you to the next available night on the same telescope, or cancel your program for a full refund. Guests may cancel up to 24 hours prior to the program and have the cost of the program refunded minus fees. Guests canceling less than 24 hours prior to their program will be charged a 20% late cancellation fee.

Equipment

SOLARIO
Kitt Peak
Parallax Instruments 12.5-inch RC with focal reducer, 2003mm focal length f/6.3. ZWO ASI071MC Pro One Shot Color camera with guider. Paramount ME.