Poster for the Tohono O'odham Nation Open Night

Tohono O'odham Nation Open Night

Saturday 25 May 2024

5 p.m. – 10 p.m. MST

Kitt Peak, AZ

Free access 

The Tohono O'odham Open Night is a family-oriented, evening event for Tohono O’odham tribal members. This is an opportunity for NOIRLab and the Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO) to show our appreciation and privilege of working on I’oligam Du’ag (Kitt Peak), and to share with our Tohono O’odham neighbors the very special and exciting work we do. 

The Open Night will include: 

  • Solar viewing
  • Stargazing with small and large telescopes
  • Night Sky tours
  • Tours of various domes
  • Activities for kids
  • Music
  • Science experiments
  • Cultural activities
  • Food vendors
  • Ask an astronomer
  • and more!

Please book in advance here.

We will be offering transportation via shuttle buses to and from the Kitt Peak. The pick-up/drop-off locations will be from San Xavier-Plaza Parking lot, Sells-BUSD Office Parking lot and San Simon-Tohono O’odham High School Parking lot. 

Tribal members are also welcome to drive to the Open Night in their own vehicles, park at the picnic area and take a shuttle bus to the summit. 

  • The pick-up/drop-off locations for the shuttle buses will be from the following: 
    • San Xavier-Plaza Parking lot: 1950 W. San Xavier Road
    • Sells-BUSD Office Parking lot: Highway 86, Milepost 115.5
    • San Simon-Tohono O’odham High School Parking lot: Highway 86, Milepost 75
  • The pick-up times are the following at each designated location: 
    • San Xavier Plaza: Board at 3:00pm & Leave at 3:30pm
    • Sells-BUSD Office Parking lot: Board at 3:30pm & Leave at 4pm
    • San Simon-Tohono O’odham High School Parking lot: Board at 3:00pm & Leave at 3:30pm
  • The shuttles buses will be departing KPNO at the following times:
    • 8:00pm
    • 10:00pm

Safety considerations: 

  1. Please wear closed toed shoes for the event.
  2. Temperatures will be much cooler at the summit, please bring winter clothes (layers recommended).
  3. Be sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water or juice during the event. This will help compensate for the low humidity and avoid dehydration at the summit (which can mimic high altitude symptoms). 

Additional Information:

  1. There will be food vendors at the event. 
  2. Bring cash for purchasing food and additional items. 

 

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For specific queries contact: 

Jacelle Ramon-Sauberan, Tohono O’odham Nation Education Development Liaison 

Email: jacelle.ramon-sauberan@noirlab.edu

Phone: 520 318 8726