Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope, Graham County Travel Guide

Located on Mount Graham, near Safford, Arizona, the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope (VATT) is a remarkable astronomical observatory operated by the Vatican Observatory. This location, far from city lights, provides exceptionally clear skies, ideal for studying the cosmos. The VATT is part of the Mount Graham International Observatory (MGIO), which also houses other powerful telescopes.The Vatican's interest in astronomy dates back centuries, driven in part by the need to determine the dates for Easter and other religious holidays. In the late 19th century, Pope Leo XIII formally re-founded the Vatican Observatory to promote dialogue between science and the Church. Over time, increasing light pollution near Rome led the Observatory to establish a research group in Tucson, Arizona, in 1981. This eventually led to the construction of the VATT in 1993, in collaboration with the University of Arizona's Steward Observatory.The VATT boasts a 1.8-meter primary mirror, built using innovative spin-casting techniques. This technology allows astronomers to observe distant galaxies, study stellar evolution, and search for exoplanets. The telescope's location at a high altitude (10,469 feet) further enhances its observational capabilities.While the VATT is a research facility and not generally open to casual visits, Eastern Arizona College's Discovery Park Campus offers tours of the Mount Graham International Observatory from mid-May through October. These tours provide insights into the mountain's geology, history, and the work conducted at the observatories.