UA News

The Steward Observatory Mirror Lab on the University of Arizona campus offers a unique opportunity to experience the groundbreaking work being done at our facility, located under the UA football stadium.  

The mirror lab is renowned for developing and implementing technologies that enable production of the world’s largest and most challenging ground-based telescope mirrors.

A tour provides visitors with a behind-the-scenes look at cutting-edge optical technology and the revolutionary spin-casting processes involved in making these giant telescope mirrors. 

Starting with the construction of the mold, to spin-casting, to grinding and polishing, the final result is a lightweight mirror ready for transportation to a mountaintop observatory where it will peer into remote regions of the cosmos, exploring the edges of the universe in an effort to answer a vast array of astronomical questions and make new discoveries.

Tours are conducted at 1 p.m and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Advance reservations are required and can be made by calling 520-626-8792.