Astronomy Camp

Astronomy Camp is a science summer camp hosted by the University of Arizona's Alumni Association, and run by astronomer Don McCarthy.[1] Many of the early camps took place at the Mount Lemmon Station Observatory atop Mount Lemmon, near Tucson, Arizona. On Mount Lemmon, the campers have access to a 12-inch (30 cm), 20-inch, 40-inch and 60-inch telescope, and on the nearby Mount Bigelow site, a 61-inch (150 cm) telescope.

In recent years, the camp has also taken place at the Kitt Peak National Observatory, where the students have access to a wide variety of telescopes, including the 90-inch (230 cm) Bok Telescope, the ARO 12m Radio Telescope, and a variety of smaller instruments.

At both locations, the telescopes and other equipment are used for hands-on learning and research on a variety of astronomical topics. Campers are encouraged to propose their own projects and collect the data necessary to answer their research questions.

Don McCarthy won the American Astronomical Society Education Prize in 2012 in part for his work running Astronomy Camp.[2][3]

  1. ^ "Don McCarthy". University of Arizona. 2007. Archived from the original on 18 July 2010. Retrieved 5 August 2010.
  2. ^ "UA Astronomer Earns National Education Honors". Archived from the original on June 8, 2012. Retrieved 16 February 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  3. ^ "Education Prize - American Astronomical Society". Retrieved 16 February 2012.