[LargeFormat] Kitt's Peak Observatory (was Stirring-Up A Hornet's Nest)

[Schuyler Grace]

Gary and Michael,

I do have the name and number of the guy who runs the place, and I think
he's at U of A, though he may not work for the university.  I was planning
on giving him a call this week, but I figured if anyone had an "in" at the
Observatory, that would make things easier.  I'll let you and the list know
how it turns out, in case anyone else might want to visit.  Also, the idea
about the observers program sounds like a good one if my other, solitary
avenues fail.  After all, I always wanted to be an astronomer (since I was
about four, at least), but I decided to pick a career where I could actually
make a decent living (electrical engineering/network design), even if that
meant giving up most of my artistic and pure scientific sides.  Now though,
I've decided to be a photographer when I grow up--another 180-degree turn.

I live in Mesa, near Country Club Drive and Guadalupe, where you can spit in
one direction and hit Chandler and in another to hit Gilbert.  I'm sure I
know both of your names from somewhere other than this list.  Are either or
both of you involved in photography as a profession, or at least as a
serious avocation (as in you may have a day job, but you also have work in
galleries or teach photography)?  I ask because I really would like to turn
my 30+-year passion into something more than an expensive, glorified hobby,
and I can use all the mentors/advice I can get.

Thanks for the suggestions, guys.

-Schuyler

-----Original Message-----
From: largeformat-bounces at f32.net [mailto:largeformat-bounces at f32.net] On
Behalf Of Gary W. Marklund
Sent: Sunday, June 05, 2005 11:14 AM
To: f32 Large Format Photography Mail List
Subject: Re: [LargeFormat] Stirring-Up A Hornet's Nest

Schuyler,

No connection, but have visited several times. Nice place to go to cool off.

The first visit I made was in the mid-70s. We just arbitrarily picked a 
Sunday to go there. Turned out to be a special event. The 158" scope had
just 
been completed and they were having a "one-time-only-forever" open
visitation 
for all the people who had worked on the construction. It was totally open
to   
everyone. Got to go inside, sit in the cage and everything. It is quite an 
experience to be standing in the middle of the floor of one of those 
observatories when they start rotating it. Talk about vertigo ...

It seems to me that they have an observers program that you can apply to
spend 
an evening on the mountain. It was in their literature and/or website. That 
might be your best bet for getting to photograph it. 

Only other thing I know would be to try the Astonomy Department at the U of
A.

Our last trip up there we got caught in one of those really bad southern 
Arizona thunderstorms. Not a fun place to be!

What part of Arizona are you in?

Gary
Peoria