Visiting observers at the MMT

Some basic tips for visiting MMT observers

This page is geared toward scientists visiting the MMT overnight, especially those sitting in on queue observing. You should also read the “Before Your Run” page Before Your Run, which has more detailed information, and includes details that visiting lead observers (non-queue) need to know.

Visiting scientists should see the “Before Your Run” page for details about who to contact at the MMT to let us know you want to visit, transportation needs, arranging dorm space, and so on. Members of the public interested in tours of the site during the day, please see Public Tours.

A few things to be aware of when visiting the MMT, especially if you have not previously observed overnight at a mountaintop observatory:

• Eating: Bring your food. There are kitchens at the Bowl common building, ridge dorm, and (small) kitchen at the summit, with stove, refrigerator, cupboard, pots and pans, plates, etc. Typically there will be some cooking oil, spices, coffee, tea, but you have to bring all of your own food. If you are coming from outside Tucson, there are supermarkets in Green Valley to stop at before you go up the mountain. Store your food properly and only in the kitchen areas to avoid attracting mice or bugs, and clean up the kitchens, dishes, etc – there’s no cleaning service.

• Light and temperature: It’s dark and can be cold – colder than Tucson anyway. Bring warm clothes and a flashlight or headlamp. In the winter, there may be snow or ice, and suitable shoes are needed.

• Accomodation: The dorm rooms have basic linens and soap, but you may want to bring other amenities, e.g. lip balm (it’s often very dry), shampoo, etc. Rooms have light blocking shades so you can sleep in. Be reasonably quiet after getting up, as other occupants may be trying to sleep until afternoon.

• Driving and gates: The MMT is 20 kilometers up a single-lane, winding mountain road, more than half dirt road. It is drivable in a passenger car (if there is not heavy snow/ice), but allow enough time to drive carefully and slowly, and always look out for oncoming traffic. Visitors need to borrow a handheld radio from the Basecamp to communicate with other vehicles on the road. There is a gate 13 km up the road, and a gate at Basecamp, and combination doorlocks on the buildings. Visitors should fill out a driver info form beforehand, and contact MMT staff before heading out to get the codes; the codes change periodically. See more detailed information on the Before Your Run page.

• Safety: The observatory is a remote environment and there are large moving objects (telescope and building), so exercise caution around them, don’t do anything crazy like climbing on things, and follow instructions from the operator and observer as needed.

• Wifi/cellphone: There is wifi at the dorms, common building, and summit (use “summit-data”), but expect poor or no cellphone reception, especially inside the telescope building. There are also places on the road that you are unlikely to have cellphone coverage; carry the handheld radios checked out from Basecamp.

• Animals: The observatory is located on National Forest land, and you may see wildlife. Use normal caution around wild animals. Most of them will avoid you, but be extra cautious and keep your distance if you happen to see a mother bear with cubs. Also watch out for cows on the road, they are unlikely to move for you.

• Walking: The Bowl dorm and common building are a short distance ~500 meters from the summit. The road is walkable, but steep, especially at the top. Don’t tire yourself out. Use caution if it’s icy or there are high winds. Sturdy shoes are recommended, and you should wear closed-toe shoes at the telescope.

• Altitude sickness: Altitude sickness is not very common at the altitude of the MMT (2600 meters), but it can happen. If you start to feel symptoms, such as headache, dizziness, nausea, or serious shortness of breath, let someone know as soon as you can, so they can keep an eye on you. If it doesn’t ease up, it is necessary to descend to lower elevation. Descending will typically relieve the symptoms of altitude sickness.