LOCATION of the site:
9315 E. Perseus Way, Pearce, AZ 85625
Coordinates: 31° 52′ 4″ N, 109° 30′ 54″ W
Elevation: 4795 feet
Please Note:
The Chiricahua Astronomy Complex is a secured (locked) site and is not open to the public. TAAA Members wishing to use the site must make reservations to visit the complex using the Reservations link below.
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IMPORTANT: TAAA Members using CAC must be members in good standing AND intend to observe at the site during their visit and not just use the facilities and leave. Members failing to comply will lose CAC privileges.
Scheduled Dark Sky weekend dates are listed below. The CAC Weekend is defined as Thursday – Sunday. Hosts are only guaranteed to be on site the Friday and Saturday of that weekend. If you want to reserve outside of Friday/Saturday, check with the reservations manager if you are not qualified to open/close the site to see if a host or other qualified members will be present.
2024
October 31 – November 3 (New Moon November 1).
November 28-December 1 (New Moon November 30).
December 23. PUBLIC EVENT. Paid observing session 6:30-8:30 pm.
Details: Holiday Observing Reservations
December 26-29 (New Moon December 30).
2025
January 30 – February 2 (New Moon January 29)
February 27 – March 2 (New Moon February 27)
March 27 – 30 (New Moon March 29)
April 24 – 27 (New Moon April 27)
May 3 – Evening Under the Stars – Public Event
May 22 – 25 (New Moon May 26)
June 26 – 29 (New Moon June 25)
July 24 – 27 (New Moon July 24) Monsoon
August 21 – 24 (New Moon August 22) Monsoon
September 13 – Evening Under the Stars – Public Event
September 18 – 21 (New Moon September 21)
October 16 – 19 (New Moon October 21)
November 20 – 23 (New Moon November 19)
December 18 – 21 (New Moon December 19)
Members not checked out to open/close the site must use the site during a hosted period listed above, generally around the New Moon each month. Site hosts are only guaranteed to be there the Friday & Saturday of a CAC weekend. Members must be checked out to Open/Close the site for any dates outside of those. Use the Reservations link below to request use of the site. The Reservation Manager will send you a confirmation email within 1-2 days along with any amplifying directions or restrictions.
For any CAC questions, email the CAC Director/Assistant at
cac-director[at]tucsonastronomy.org.
For any reservation issues/questions, email the CAC Reservations Manager at cac-reservations[at]tucsonastronomy.org.
CAC Resources
AZ Illustrated Segment on CAC and Evening Under the Stars
Directions & Nearby Accommodations/Restaurants
CAC Reynolds-Mitchell Observatory ALL SKY CAMERA
Non-Member Observing Site Waiver
Reservations
Reservations are necessary for visits to the CAC site, for reserving accommodations, and for reserving the use of the site’s various telescopes. Reservations for observing/staying at the site must be made seperately from telescope reservations.
IMPORTANT. You need to make sure you are NOT currently logged into Memberplanet when clicking on the below link – otherwise it will take you to your member profile page rather than the Member Landing Page to select the reservation site.
Pet are NOT allowed in sleeping rooms or inside the buildings at CAC. If you are in an RV or tent or just observing at the site, pets are OK as long as they are leashed. And, or course, please pick up after your pet.
RESERVATIONS for CAC site (Reservations are for members only.
Click here, sign in as member, click “CAC Dark Site Reservations” at the bottom of the list at the right on that main member page. – On a mobile device scroll all the way to the bottom.)
Members who are trained on the various CAC instruments, may reserve the use of the 18 inch Obsession Dob, the Wally Rogers 14 inch Celestron SCT, the Stinger Pad 9.25″ Celestron, the 11″ Celestron, the 12″ Meade SCT at TELESCOPE RESERVATIONS.
IMPORTANT RESERVATION CANCELLATION/MODIFICATION PROCESS: Go here to MODIFY/CANCEL an existing reservation for a place to stay or equipment you have reserved. If you cannot keep your reservation due to weather or other issues, PLEASE CANCEL it so others may be able to use the site and we know who is on the site. Repeated failures to cancel may result in losing reservation privileges.
Storage for large telescopes. There is limited storage at CAC for large telescopes for a nominal annual fee. Storage is only for telescopes that are actively used for observing while at CAC and must be used on a regular basis. Contact the CAC Director for availability (cac-director[at]tucsonastronomy.org).
Introduction to the Dark Site
The Chiricahua Astronomy Complex (CAC) is a unique observing facility located under the dark skies of southeastern Arizona. Sitting at an elevation of 4800 feet and located just west of the Chiricahua Mountains, observers at CAC can take advantage of excellent seeing, with minimal light pollution from metropolitan areas, and a Bortle 1/2 sky (SQ 21.67 Sept 2024). CAC is owned and operated by TAAA. It is a private facility available for use by TAAA members and guests.
CAC Background
CAC In Depth History
TAAA also uses CAC for public and educational outreach. We sponsor a community “Evening Under the Stars” event twice a year inviting our neighbors in Cochise County and Southern Arizona residents to enjoy the wonders of the night sky through our telescopes with the help of our TAAA volunteers. Check events calendar for dates and reservation process. We also partner with Arizona and California high schools for annual astronomy learning programs and with several of the public schools in Pima and Cochise County to bring astronomy to their science curriculum. As we continue to develop the facilities at CAC we plan to expand our outreach and education programs.
Observing
We hold monthly star parties at CAC for TAAA members and guests. These are normally held around the new moon each month. Hosted dates are listed above with peak number of members on site usually on the Friday and Saturday. This allows us to take advantage of the wonderful dark skies at the site. During these events it is common to see a variety of activities, including members who bring their telescopes to the site for observing or astro-photography. Some members store their scopes on-site and roll them out for use during the star parties, typically on their leased pads.
On Friday or Saturday of the hosted week, we usually have one or more of the “big telescopes” in operation with skilled operators that often become a focal point for the evening. Many participants gather around these telescopes, taking turns at the eyepiece to experience the views they provide and suggesting new targets to observe. These telescopes are described in more detail below under Facilities, but briefly they are a 14-inch Celestron, a 9-inch folded refractor, an 18-inch Obsession Dobsonian, and the true gem of the site is the 40-inch Dobsonian! These are shared resources enjoyed by everyone.
There is also much sharing between the members. Everyone brings their different observing interests and passions to CAC and are more than willing to share. These include the usual deep sky targets of the Messier, Hershel, and NGC catalogs, double stars, carbon stars and many other interests and focus. So, whether you are a seasoned observer or brand new to astronomy you will almost certainly see something you have never seen before or see an old favorite like never before when you visit CAC.
Members who are familiar with the CAC site are also welcome to use the site at any time other than the hosted star party weeks. Reservations for such use, like those for monthly star parties, need to be made with the CAC Reservations Manager.
Non-Members at CAC: Non-members participating at a club event or accompanying a member observing at CAC must fill out a Waiver Form. Download, print, fill out, and sign this waiver and bring to the site. The waiver will be filed on-site.
Facilities
Two permanent observatories are currently in operation at CAC, along with ten 12’x12’ general use observing pads, an 8.4 meter diameter general use observing pad and ten leased member pads.
Video Overview of the Chiricahua Astronomy Complex
Time-lapse of night observing (45 seconds on March 4-5, 2022)
The Observatories:
Reynolds-Mitchell Observatory (RMO). This facility, made possible by a generous donation and active involvement of TAAA member Bob Reynolds, houses a 40-inch f/3.7 Newtonian reflector mounted in a Dobsonian configuration. The telescope is motor driven and is fully go-to. It is located on an observing deck, with a connected 30’x32’ heated and cooled control room/warm room. The telescope is housed in a roll-back enclosure. The observatory was completed in February 2017. A team of trained and certified operators run the telescope. It is usually in operation during monthly star parties.
Completed in August 2018, the RMO now includes a 9-inch folded refractor telescope mounted on an Astro Physics 1600 mount. This is a uniquely designed instrument of German manufacture that is an incredible addition to the observing resources at CAC. The scope is mounted on an expanded deck area at the RMO immediately adjacent to the 40-inch telescope.
Wallace Rogers Observatory (WRO). A Celestron C-14 mounted on an Astro-Physics AP1200 German equatorial is housed in this 12’x14’ roll-off-roof observatory. The late Wally Rogers, a long-time TAAA member donated the telescope and mount, along with other substantial gifts to advance CAC. The WRO is available for use by TAAA members who complete a training course and certification.
Stinger Observing Pad. This pad houses four telescopes that include an 18-Inch Obsession Dobsonian telescope donated by the family of TAAA member John Zajak, a 12-Inch Meade Schmidt-Cassegrain (SCT), and an 11-Inch & a 9.25-Inch Celestron SCT donated by Wally Rogers. These telescopes are available for use by TAAA members who complete a training course.
The .8 meter (32 inch) DFM Cassegrain telescope. This facility made possible by the donation of this research grade instrument to TAAA and donations from TAAA members and others supporting our outreach mission. Follow the progress HERE.
The Observing Pads:
Ten 12’x12’ concrete observing pads, equipped with electrical outlets are available for general member use. There is also a large (8.4 meter diameter) concrete pad located adjacent to a storage unit which houses a 25-inch Obsession Dobsonian telescope. This telescope, donated by TAAA member Warren Hensey, is used for club star parties and public outreach and is available for use by TAAA members who complete a training course.
There are an additional ten concrete privately leased observing pads reserved for members who have leased the rights to use them. These are the first of what will possible be a 38 pad complex.
CAC Telescope Training:
The WRO 14-inch, the Obsession 18 & 25-inch and several smaller telescopes are available for use by TAAA members who complete training and certification. Members interested in information about training should contact the CAC Director.
The RMO 40-inch and 9-Inch telescope is not available for individual use. We currently have a few trained operators for this telescope that typically operate the scope for members attending the monthly star parties. We are always interested in expanding the list of trained operators for this instrument so if you are interested in this you can contact the RMO Observatory Director or the CAC Director.
CAC Telescope Training & Certification Program
Other Facilities include:
- Restrooms and shower facilities
- 20’x30’ Outdoor Education Facility (Ramada)
- RV parking, with seven lanes and electrical hook-ups (Electricity only. No Water. No Dumping. We do have water at the well house.)
- Parking (including handicapped)
- On Site Weather Station and All Sky Camera (links above)
- EV parking places with NEMA 10-50 hookups
Recent Steps in Site Development
We are not yet done!
The Master Site Plan envisioned many of these current facilities when it was developed in 2009. Our experiences with site development continue to inform our decisions about the future of the site. We are excited about what we have achieved so far and look forward to continuing our progress in making the site the premier amateur astronomy observing and educational facility in the nation! Join TAAA and come and experience this wonderful resource. You will be dazzled by the sights you will see on the ground and in the sky.
With support from the Gateway to the Galaxy Campaign (a capital campaign launched in 2017) we constructed overnight sleeping facilities, a multi-telescope observing complex and classroom/multi-use space. These make the site even more attractive to users and enhances our ability to host groups for astronomy education and outreach programs.
Night Sky Learning Center
The Night Sky Learning Center was completed in 2023. It includes a classroom and the Stinger Pad housing four telescopes that can be operated by trained TAAA members and school/youth groups attending CAC outreach events. Teachers and Youth Group Coordinators can request a site visit through the Astronomy Camp Coordinator (AstronomyCamp[at]tucsonastronony.org) or the CAC Director (cac-director[at]tucsonastronomy.org) or the TAAA Star Party Coordinator (astronomy-events[at]tucsonastronomy.org).
Member Observatories
The Member Observatories Project construction is now complete. This project includes 5 Roll-Off Roof style observatories and 1 large observing pad with storage for a very large Dobsonian telescope.
Click here to view – Video flight over the Chiricahua Astronomy Complex
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