Robotic Lunar Observatory, Flagstaff

#20 among attractions in Flagstaff

Observatories and planetariums

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Facts and practical information

The Robotic Lunar Observatory was an astronomical observatory funded by NASA and located at the United States Geological Survey Flagstaff Science Campus atop McMillan Mesa in Flagstaff, Arizona. Its purpose was to enable the Moon to be used as a radiance calibration source for Earth-orbiting remote-sensing spacecraft. The program ceased observations in September 2003, but the facility is maintained for calibration and instrument characterization purposes. It consists of two 20 cm Ritchey-Chrétien telescopes attached to an equatorial mount made by DFM Engineering. One telescope is fitted with a sensor optimized for visible and near-infrared wavelengths, while the other is tuned to short-wavelength infrared. The VNIR camera began operations in 1995 and the SWIR camera in 1997. ()

Established: 1995 (29 years ago)Coordinates: 35°12'53"N, 111°38'2"W

Address

McMillian MesaFlagstaff United States

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Day trips

Robotic Lunar Observatory – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Jay Lively Activity Center, Orpheum Theater, Presbyterian Church Parsonage, Railroad Addition Historic District.

~1200 ftW
Entertainment, Ice skating, Ice rink
Jay Lively Activity Center, Flagstaff
6 min walk • Jay Lively Activity Center is an ice arena and skating center in Flagstaff, Arizona. It is home to the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks men's ice hockey team.
1.4 miSW
Concerts and shows, Concert hall, Music venue
Orpheum Theater, Flagstaff
37 min walk • The Orpheum Theater is an old movie house in Flagstaff, Arizona, originally named the Majestic Opera House. The building was constructed in 1911. It was rebuilt and expanded in 1917, and renamed the Orpheum. The theater closed in 1999. Three years later, in 2002, it reopened as a concert venue.
1.2 miSW
Church, Queen Anne architecture
Presbyterian Church Parsonage, Flagstaff
32 min walk • Presbyterian Church Parsonage is a historic Presbyterian church parsonage at 15 E. Cherry in Flagstaff, Arizona. It was built in a Queen Anne style and was added to the National Register in 1986.
1.4 miSW
Interesting neighbourhood, Romanesque revival architecture
Railroad Addition Historic District, Flagstaff
36 min walk • The Flagstaff Railroad Addition Historic District is significant because of its association with the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway as well as U.S. Route 66.
1.2 miSW
Neighbourhood
Downtown Flagstaff, Flagstaff
32 min walk • Downtown Flagstaff, Arizona sits in the western part of the city, and consists of several culturally-connected blocks. The city of Flagstaff has a downtown culture of local, independent, stores inside historic buildings.

Robotic Lunar Observatory, Flagstaff

Facts and practical information

Robotic Lunar Observatory – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Jay Lively Activity Center, Flagstaff

Orpheum Theater, Flagstaff

Presbyterian Church Parsonage, Flagstaff

Railroad Addition Historic District, Flagstaff

Downtown Flagstaff, Flagstaff