Re: [ATM] Graham mountain observatory

[<jjdubois@insightbb.com>]

Same problem here.  I am in Tucson for the week and wanted to go to mount Graham.  I was able to see, however, the mirrors in the mirror lab at UA a couple of years ago.  They are BIG.  My experience with McDonald Observatory matched yours.  I also was able to visit the MMT on mount Hopkins and Kitt Peak.

Jule J. DuBois

----- Original Message -----
From: "The Alarm Co." <tac@i1.net>
Date: Thursday, October 26, 2006 19:47
Subject: [ATM] Graham mountain observatory
To: ATM List <atm@atmlist.net>

> Last week, one of the high points (literally and figuratively) 
> of my
> vacation should have been a visit to the Large Binocular 
> Telescope under
> construction at the University of Arizona's observatory at 
> Graham mountain
> in Coronado National Forest.  Their brochures sounded 
> friendly, but when we
> arrived, we were greeted by "NO TRESPASSING" signs.  Seems 
> to get in, you
> have to apply in person in town (at least 26 miles away), and then
> admittance is granted only on weekends, according to the USFS 
> Ranger we
> talked to.  Even then, she wasn't sure "just anyone" could 
> get in.  After
> the warm welcome I received on multiple visits to McDonald 
> Observatory, I
> was left cold, to say the least.  No cell service, no 
> public phone to call
> the gatekeepers to see when we might be let in.
> At least the National Forest Service is doing us all a favor by 
> establishinga Red Squirrel Refugium (that's right; not just a 
> refuge -- a refugium) to
> protect an endangered species.  Since 1994, nobody has been 
> allowed in this
> area, even on foot, to avoid annoying the squirrels.  Can 
> you guess where
> the Observatory is?  Right at the center of the Red 
> Squirrel Refugium.  So,
> let's get this straight.  If I walk through the forest, I 
> will fatally
> disturb the squirrels.  Howevery, astronomers driving to 
> the observatory and
> doing Heavy Construction won't bother them at all.  
> Somehow, the squirrels
> know that the astronomers (and the construction workers they 
> hired) are
> really special and so won't mind their intrusion.  Do I 
> sound angry?  Yeah,
> I am very, extremely angry.
> On the other hand, I spend over a week's worth of days before 
> and after
> riding fabulously twisty, hilly roads and hiking incomparable 
> canyons and
> mountainsides in the area.  Also enjoyed several 
> wonderfully clear, dark
> nights with my 12x50's (all I could pack on a backpacking/motorcycling
> trip).
> And the squirrels?  They aren't even native.  They're 
> an invasive, exotic
> species!  According to one man we met, they were live-
> trapped in Missouri
> (by his grandfather) only 50 years ago and turned loose in the 
> mountains so
> Gramps could do some squirrel hunting!
> 
> Oh, well, life is good (if only you can ingnore the not-so-good).
> 
>  *  Best regards, Bob
> *
>          
> *           *   *
> 
>             *         *
> 
> 
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