***Up Close with VERITAS is a one-hour hard-hat required walking tour of the Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System, which is located near the BASE of Mt. Hopkins at the Science Center. This tour does NOT go up the mountain.***
Join Whipple Observatory for a one-hour walking tour of the only full array of gamma-ray telescopes in the northern hemisphere. VERITAS is a unique and sensitive instrument capable of detecting flashes of light, known as Cherenkov light— that come from some of the universe's most violent activity, like black holes, neutron stars, and supernovae— as they hit Earth's atmosphere and scatter.
On this hard hat tour, you'll learn about the science and engineering behind these telescopes and what they study, why they were built at Whipple Observatory, and have the opportunity to get up close with the Mirrors and climb a telescope platform, just like one of our engineers*. As a part of your tour, you will be leant a hard hat to go into restricted areas and our "backyard" where you'll see a prototype telescope for a new gamma-ray array as well as other interesting engineering components for the MMT not seen on any other tour.
This tour requires the ability to walk and stand for an hour in the outside elements. Children of all ages and service animals are welcome on this tour. All guests of all ages (excepting service animals) require a ticket to attend this tour.
*Platform climbs are weather and safety dependent and are not guaranteed.
IMPORTANT:
This hour-long walking tour has no seating and no bathroom stops and may be unsuitable for children under 6 years old. This tour requires all guests to wear a leant/provided hard hat or bump cap, and closed-toe shoes, and to attend a safety briefing ahead of the tour. Tours will not be held for late arrivals, and anyone not able to meet these requirements will not receive a refund.
Every guest on this tour must have their own ticket. Unticketed guests will not be permitted on this tour for safety reasons. There are no exceptions. Tickets must be purchased in advance; there are no tickets for sale at the door.
Guests are expected to arrive no later than 15 minutes prior to their tour but may arrive as early as 30 minutes prior. Late arrivals will not be permitted on the tour and will not receive a refund.
This tour requires guests to be able to walk over uneven ground and possibly up and down 15 stairs on their own, and over the course of an hour. There are no sitting areas or restrooms during this tour.
NO REFUNDS. Whipple Observatory does not offer refunds on tours unless the tour is cancelled by the Observatory. In extreme circumstances, the Science Center Manager may offer a transfer of your tickets to another open date or to a friend or family member. You may also elect to have your tickets marked as a cash donation and receive a gift receipt for the value of your tickets minus taxes and fees. Thank you for your understanding.
