About NOAO

The National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO) is the United States public access observatory for ground based nighttime astronomy. Our mission is to provide merit based, peer reviewed access to forefront research capabilities on optical/near infrared telescopes of all apertures.

NOAO operates world class research telescopes in both the northern and southern hemispheres. These telescopes are located at Kitt Peak National Observatory near Tucson, Arizona and Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory near La Serena, Chile. In addition, NOAO serves as the US access point for the International Gemini Observatory which has 8m class telescopes in Hawaii and Chile. The US is 50% partner in Gemini. Public access to non-federally funded telescopes in the US is also managed by NOAO through its telescope time allocation process.

NOAO is committed to helping train young astronomers in US undergraduate and graduate programs in observational astronomy and to engaging the public at large in the wonder of exploration of the Universe.

The NOAO headquarters are located in Tucson, AZ and are co-located with the headquarters of the National Solar Observatory. The NOAO is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA), under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation.

• Contact Information for NOAO North and South.
• NOAO Frequently Asked Questions

About Our Observatories:

Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO)

Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO) has its headquarters in Tucson and operates the Mayall 4-meter, the 3.5-meter WIYN , the 2.1-meter and Coudé Feed, and the 0.9-meter telescopes on Kitt Peak Mountain, about 55 miles southwest of the city.

You can take a Virtual Tour of Kitt Peak National Observatory and read answers to some Frequently Asked Questions about KPNO including a brief history of Kitt Peak. We also have a Map showing Kitt Peak, NOAO and the Tucson International Airport.

Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO)

The Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO) is located in northern Chile. CTIO operates the 4-meter, 1.5-meter, 0.9-meter, and Curtis Schmidt telescopes at this site.

The NOAO Gemini Science Center (NGSC)

The NOAO Gemini Science Center (NGSC) at NOAO is the gateway for the U.S. astronomical community to the International Gemini Project: twin 8.1 meter telescopes in Hawaii and Chile that provide unprecendented coverage (northern and southern skies) and details of our universe.

Take a virtual tour of the Gemini North facilities.