Call to reserve

Tucson Mountains · after dark · by reservation

Spencer's
Observatory

Three telescopes. One roof that rolls back.

A privately owned observatory on the grounds of The Oasis at Cat Mountain, west of Tucson. A guide takes up to ten people through two hours at the eyepiece.

Call to reserve Plan your inquiry
The painted Spencer's Observatory sign, white lettering on a violet night sky with mountain outlines
The sign on the observatory

01 · The instruments

What you'll look through.

Three telescopes share the floor under the retractable roof. Each is suited to a different kind of view; these are the observatory's own descriptions.

  1. 14" Celestron. Deep-sky objects and fine planetary detail.
  2. 10" Meade LX200. Computerized precision that experienced stargazers will enjoy.
  3. 4" Stellarvue refractor. Wide-field viewing at any skill level.

How the two hours go

Two telescopes on their mounts under the open roof, the Milky Way overhead
Under the open roof
A dense field of stars and the Milky Way photographed from the observatory
Sonoran sky, from the observatory
The observatory's outside wall, painted with constellations, a full moon and a desert skyline
The painted wall
Cholla cactus in the foreground with Cat Mountain behind
Cat Mountain

02 · Plan your inquiry

Ask about your party.

Choose your party size to prepare a tour inquiry. Ask the observatory to confirm the total, eligibility and timing for your party.

Guests
4
Staying at The Oasis?

4 guests

  • Published “Star Tour · 2 hours · best for up to 5 guests”: $125. “Additional guests per person”: $15. Ask the observatory to confirm your party’s total and eligibility.
Email this request Call (520) 578-6085

The observatory publishes “Star Tour · 2 hours · best for up to 5 guests” at $125 and “Additional guests per person” at $15, with tours accommodating up to 10 guests. It also lists a $25 tour discount for guests staying at The Oasis. Ask it to confirm the total and eligibility for your party; no price is calculated here.

Chairs and a bench set out in front of the observatory's painted constellation wall
Waiting for dark, outside the observatory

03 · Your guide

Victor Sunstar and his team.

“And yes, that's really his name.”From the observatory's own page

The night sky guides work from where you are. Never looked through a telescope? That's fine. The observatory puts it this way: the guide meets you where you are, and lets the sky do most of the work.

The Milky Way crossing a star-filled Sonoran sky

Look.

Distant galaxies, planets and star clusters, pulled into view through the eyepiece, with a guide beside you.

Two large telescopes pointed at the Milky Way under the observatory's open roof

Trace.

Find the constellations by eye with your guide, then go to the eyepiece to see what sits inside them.

A saguaro silhouetted against the setting sun on the grounds of The Oasis

Linger.

Two hours, after dark. You're welcome to bring a bottle of wine to pass the time.