State of the Map U.S./Planning/2020 Bids

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About State of the Map US

State of the Map US is the biggest and best gathering of OpenStreetMap US community members from across the country! Why not have it in your backyard? We have had some incredible State of the Map US conferences over the years, and in total hosted more than 3,800 people in 10 locations.

State of the Map US 2020

The 2020 State of the Map US was scheduled to held in Tucson, Arizona November 5-7, 2020. Planning details can be found here. Bidding information is below and here.

How to Apply - Letter of Intent

We invite cities, towns, universities, etc. (a.k.a. place=city, place=town, amenity=university, residential, etc.) to prepare a bid for the 2020 conference and help us throw a 10 year birthday bash to remember! Please see the details below so you can discuss and prepare with your fellow mappers.

Please submit a Letter of Intent to signify your bid. What do we mean by “Letter of Intent”? This should be a general plan with the proposed venue, budget, and ideas for social activities, outlined below. We’re interested in hearing from groups of people who are excited to work with the OpenStreetMap US board and the rest of the planning committee to build a successful event. All ideas are welcome! The Letter of Intent should be 1-3 pages and should include, though not limited to, the following information:

  • Who? Names of principal organizers and any affiliations.
  • How? Names of institutions, organizations, companies, communities, or otherwise that you foresee sponsoring and/or technically supporting the conference. We’re interested in local groups that might help make this event especially successful.
  • When? Suggested date ranges for the conference.
  • Where? At least 2 viable venue options & estimated cost. Show evidence that you’ve chosen a venue that can accommodate our conference of 300-500 (and maybe more!) participants and 10 exhibitors. The space should include room for at least two parallel sessions, some breakout rooms, and lunch.
  • Beep Beep! What are the options in terms of transportation & accessibility ?
  • Zzzzzz… Indicate nearby affordable lodging for attendees. Keep in mind that State of the Map US attendees tend to be from out of town and don’t want to drive or walk very far each morning. Are their dorms? Hostels? Hotels? Airbnbs?
  • $$$… Please provide a general sense of travel and lodging costs.
  • Cake and balloons? Because it’s not just about mapping, please provide suggestions for local tourist attractions & social activities near the proposed venue site. What should we see in your town?

We hope you will consider hosting State of the Map US 2020! Know that you are not alone, and that a planning committee and the board will help with leading program decisions, day-of logistics, accounting, ticketing, t-shirts, design, and more. Bids will also be considered for State of the Map US 2021. All ideas are encouraged!

Bids

Submission deadline was November 30, 2019.

Grand Junction, Colorado

The Western Colorado OpenStreetMap community hereby submits our letter of intent to host State of the Map 2020 in Grand Junction, Colorado with a proposed date range in September 2020. Organizing Committee: Aaron Young Taylor Smock Jennings Anderson Margaret Spyker Barney Barnett Jackson Trappett

OpenStreetMap has its core in small, independent communities that do big things. Grand Junction, Colorado is a city much the same! With its beautiful and inviting downtown which is walkable between Two Rivers Convention Center, 5 hotels, 30+ restaurants, the historic Avalon theater and many local shops, SOTM attendees will feel included in this comfortable setting.

Grand Junction will be the ‘grand junction’ of urban and rural mapping, volunteer and corporate mapping, bridging the gap between these communities at this important benchmark of the SOTM conference. Traditionally, conferences have been held in large cities, with large venues. SOTM 2020 will offer a different experience to the attendees. A venue that is comfortable and inclusive, affordable and exciting, will illustrate how OSM benefits large and small locations. Restaurants and lodging are within a block of the conference so attendees can meet, talk and collaborate together without feeling separated from the conference events.

Kaart, a directed editing team, is located on Main Street in Grand Junction and will be participating in the planning and success of the conference. Denver and Salt Lake OSM communities are nearby and will assist with supporting this venue. Other organizations and companies will participate in the conference success such as: GeoDav.tech, TerraFrame, ProStar GeoCorp, City of Grand Junction, Singletrack Trails, etc. Downtown Grand Junction and the City of Grand Junction have also initially committed to supporting the conference with discounts to services, event/venue planning and logistics for attendees. In addition, the US Bureau of Land Management is now headquartered in Grand Junction, bringing national GIS staff interest and the possibility of a national level keynote speaker (BLM Director?).

Venue

The two proposed locations are of adequate size and capacity to host the conference, with the preferred location (Two Rivers Convention Center) being renovated in 2019. Colorado Mesa University, which teaches OSM mapping, is the second consideration for the SOTM location and is only a 5-10 minute ride on the free shuttle from Downtown Grand Junction. Both locations would be affordable allowing for more funding to return to OSM US operations throughout the year.

Venue Ballrooms Break-Out Rooms Estimated Cost per day
Two Rivers Convention Center (Preferred) 3 Theaters- 500 people each 2 smaller rooms- 100-250 people each; 
4 Classrooms- 16-25 people each $5,000*
Colorado Mesa University Half of ballroom 200-300 people; 
Full ballroom 600 people 5 smaller rooms- 20-50 people each $4,750
  • Price reflects cost of entire Convention Center, the total cost would likely be half based on attendance. City of Grand Junction discount may apply.

Travel

Grand Junction is easy to travel to with regional flights between Salt Lake City, Denver, Phoenix, Dallas, Las Vegas and Chicago using Delta, United, American Airlines, Allegiant and Denver Air Connection. But why fly when you can ride the train! Amtraks California Zephyr passes through Downtown Grand Junction daily on its way between San Francisco and Chicago, with gorgeous scenery of the Rocky Mountains. For those wanting to drive, Grand Junction is a simple 4 hour drive from Salt Lake City or Denver and 6 hours from Las Vegas, allowing for OSM community members to easily attend at an affordable cost.

Lyft and Uber are available throughout the valley as well as Grand Valley Transit.

Method Seattle, WA San Francisco, CA Chicago, Il New York, NY Washington, D.C.
Flight $245 $280 $330 $352 $396
Amtrak $260-640 $107-321 $111 $287-794
Car $200 $200 $150 $340 $280

Accommodation

Hotel Price per Night
Marriott Fairfield & Suites $150
Marriott Springhill Suites $130
Hampton Inn by Hilton $150
Tru by Hilton $140
Knights Inn $70
15+ hotels within 3 miles $70-$150

Sponsorship

The exploratory committee expects sponsorships to be on par or more than 2019 SOTM US. As mentioned, Kaart is a strong contributor to the Grand Junction OSM community as well as a multi-year SOTM sponsor. We expect to retain Gold level sponsors as well as seek more silver and bronze level sponsors through regional organizations that utilize OSM. We would also try to restore some previous sponsors by having more differentiation between different levels of sponsorship and encourage local sponsors to increase participation at the bronze level.

Activities

The focus of the conference will be on ‘local’ and as such, local breweries and chefs will host evening parties on the rooftop patio at the Avalon theater allowing attendees to watch the sun set on the world’s largest mesa in the distance. Local wines from vineyards nearby in Palisade, Colorado, fresh and unique foods provided by nationally recognized chefs can accompany this conference at a fraction of the cost of larger cities! Evening events can occur at the Museum of the West within walking distance of the conference venue.

Grand Junction also provides a destination for attendees to explore. Take an extra day to float down the Colorado River with others in the OSM community. Rent a mountain bike and enjoy the trails of Fruita, Colorado. Spend an afternoon on a wine tour in Palisade and plan the next big tool for OSM mapping! Or, spend an extra day at the Kaart offices learning and exploring new methods to improve OSM in your own communities. With a co-working space in house, attendees can stay as long as they’d like to collaborate on projects that they learned about. The OSM community will throw a birthday party like none-other, with local Americana musicians, dancing and cake in gorgeous outdoor settings. Oh, we should mention we have a chocolate factory in downtown too!

The exploratory committee understands that SOTM has been in Colorado twice before. This may be in part because of the central location of the state within the country and also the active OSM participation. Grand Junction will offer a different type of experience to the attendees while being fully supported to make it successful. Attendees will love participating in the conference not only for the things they will learn and who they will meet, but also the affordability and geography of where they will be visiting.

Albuquerque, New Mexico

The OpenStreetMap community in Albuquerque formally submits its proposal to host State of the Map U.S. 2020. The principal organizers of this proposal are members of MapABQ, an informal OpenStreetMap user group started in 2016 to increase and organize around OpenStreetMap contributions in Albuquerque and New Mexico. Principal organizers includes: Russ Biggs, Rachel Biggs, Ed Hillsman, and Erick Fox with support from other OSM community members: Jess Beutler.

While in Albuquerque, State of the Map US attendees will enjoy the charm of a growing mid-size city in the heart of the Southwest. As one of the oldest cities in the US, Albuquerque is home to a unique multicultural history and heritage. Native American, Hispanic, and Latino cultural influences are evident throughout the city. Centrally located, Albuquerque is an affordable and accessible option to comfortably host a large conference.

The OpenStreetMap community in Albuquerque is a small and emerging group of mappers that are excited by the opportunity to expand and connect with the national community.

Partners

Albuquerque is fast becoming a technology and startup hub of the Southwestern US. Albuquerque hosts multiple startups and businesses that utilize OpenStreetMap and open source geospatial solutions that would make ideal partners. Potential partners and sponsors include RS21, Descartes Labs, and Bird's Eye View GIS. Home to Sandia National Laboratories and supporting industry, Albuquerque is a hub for science and technology offering many potential partnerships and sponsorships. The New Mexico Geographic Information Council (NMGIC) has a large membership of geospatial professionals from around the state and could serve as a partner. As the academic center of New Mexico, Albuquerque is home to the University of New Mexico (UNM) and Central New Mexico Community College (CNM). UNM’s Geography department is a natural partner and CNM boasts innovative open source based GIS coursework. Both academic institutions would be ideal partners in the higher education field.

Dates

Proposed September 2020 dates:

  • Option 1: Friday, September 11, Saturday, September 12, and Sunday. September 13.
  • Option 2: Friday, September 18, Saturday, September 19, and Sunday September 20.
  • Option 3: Friday, September 25, Saturday, September 26, and Sunday, September 27.

Note: these are the dates for which we sought quotes, other date ranges may also be suitable.

Locations

Albuquerque has multiple options to host large conferences. We have chosen two options in the downtown area due to their proximity to multiple classes of hotels, dining, and nightlife options.

Venue Ballrooms Break-Out Rooms Estimated Cost per day
Albuquerque Convention Center (Preferred) 1 ballroom 500 people (with capacity to hold up to 1,800 people, can split into multiple large rooms) and includes space for 10 exhibitors 1 smaller room- 138 people; 4 Classrooms- 50-70 people each (with capacity to offer additional options based on attendance) $2,300
Hyatt Regency Albuquerque 1 ballroom with registration area and space for 10 exhibitors 4 smaller rooms with capacity for 35 to 75 people each. $3,000


Albuquerque Convention Center (ACC) offers over 167,000 square feet of exhibit space featuring the Northeast and Southeast Exhibit Halls that provide 106,200 square feet of contiguous, column-free space. The ACC has 27 flexible meeting rooms, which can hold an intimate meeting of 10 people or a large breakout for 1,100. The 31,000-square feet Ballroom lends itself as a magnificent banquet space for up to 1,800 people or an impressive general session area for 2,500 attendees.


Hyatt Regency Albuquerque offers ​over 30,000 square feet of recently-renovated function space and ​23 flexible meeting rooms to accommodate groups with as many as 1,200 attendees. Both venues are in the heart of downtown Albuquerque, a 10 minute drive from the airport, and within walking distance to both major hotel chains, local hotels, a hostel and Airbnbs.

Transportation and Accessibility

Albuquerque (Airport code ABQ)is easily accessible via air offering non-stop service to some of the nation’s top hubs including, but not limited to, Denver, Dallas, Atlanta, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and the Washington, DC area. Once on the ground, it’s just a quick 10-minute drive from the Albuquerque International Sunport to downtown Albuquerque. For those attendees driving to Albuquerque, Interstates I-25 and I-40 meet just two miles away from the Convention Center, offering easy access. Albuquerque is also served by Amtrak on the Southwest Chief line. The best options for transportation are Uber and Lyft. If staying near downtown, bike and electric scooters are available to rent and easily accessible. There is also public bus transportation.

Lodging

The city’s hotel rates and taxes are among the lowest in the nation. The entire range of Albuquerque’s 16,000 rooms offers a unique mix of Southwestern hospitality. Downtown hotels start at $88 a night (including the Hyatt Regency and DoubleTree by Hilton, which are steps away from the Convention Center). There are over 300 Airbnb full homes for rent starting at $40 a night and one downtown hostel starting at $27 a night.

Albuquerque Lodging and Average Costs

Hotels 166
Total Sleeping Rooms 16,000
Convention Center Space 600,000 sq. ft.
Largest Exhibit Space 167,562 sq. ft.
Largest Ballroom 31,164 sq. ft.
Average Hotel Room Rate USD $91
Average Daily Meal Cost USD $51
Average Weekly Car Rental USD $158

Activities

During the conference, attendees can check out the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, visit Old Town Albuquerque, and take in the complex history, architecture, and culture of the city. The location provides plenty of opportunities to connect with a vibrant technology start up scene, academics, and a large non-profit sector.

Albuquerque has a bustling local craft brewery scene and attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy unique New Mexican fare that is hard to find anywhere else in the country. Attendees can take part in a brewery bike tour, walk through beautiful, untouched nature along the Rio Grande in the Bosque, take a ride on the United States' longest aerial tram to the top of the Sandia Mountains, and simply enjoy the urban landscape of the city, all in one day.

Albuquerque enjoys over 300 days of sunshine and the fantastic fall weather is perfect for outdoor activities including biking, hiking, and kayaking or floating down the Rio Grande river. Albuquerque is also the hot air ballooning capital of the world and fall is a time when colorful balloons appear among the clear blue skies. At night, you can enjoy the neon signs, sights, restaurants and bars along historic Route 66.

The OpenStreetMap community of Albuquerque is eager to host State of the Map US 2020 and to share the unique Southwest hospitality and culture our city has to offer. Albuquerque is the perfect location to throw a 10th birthday party celebration and cultivate new partnerships, community, and excitement for the future of OpenStreetMap.

Tucson, Arizona

The University of Arizona is delighted to propose hosting State of the Map US (SOTM-US) in Tucson, Arizona in the Fall of 2020. This will be the 10th anniversary of SOTM-US and we are excited about the opportunity to both reflect on the last 10 years and usher in the next 10. Tucson and the University of Arizona is a diverse community of students, researchers and residents who care passionately about the people and places of Southern Arizona. Tucson and the University of Arizona are uniquely positioned - both geographically 60 miles from the US-Mexico border - and figuratively - with our many transnational & cross-border cultural histories and academic collaborations. This puts us in a unique position to draw the OSM community from across North America, including Mexico & Central America OSM members.

2020 Dates

We propose shifting SOTMUS from its typical September time-frame to mid-October 2020 for two reasons: 1) Give organizers a bit more time for planning 2) The weather is optimal in October with average temps in the mid-80’s F as opposed to the mid-90’s F often seen into the month of September. We propose one of the following weekends (pending confirmation of football schedule and other conflicts like homecoming to avoid higher lodging costs and transit impediments). If a weekday conference is preferred we could explore October availability mid-week.

Option 1: October 9, 10, 11

Option 2: October 16, 17, 18

The Heart of the Southwest

There are many reasons why Tucson is among the top meeting and convention destinations in the United States. Lonely Planet calls Tucson “the heart of the southwest” and for good reason (https://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/southwest/tucson). Here are a few highlights that may be of interest to the OSM community:

  • UNESCO Creative Cities Network for Gastronomy - honoring Southern Arizona’s food traditions as well as culinary innovation. We have 23 miles of some of the best Mexican food in the country.
  • Average Fall temperature is 80 degrees (the perfect place to escape the oncoming winter weather in the rest of the U.S.).
  • Geographically located 60 miles from the U.S. - Mexico border, our region is steeped in the history and traditions in a modern, tangible way through the cultures of Mexico and the indigenous people whose land was divided into modern day Arizona & Mexico - including but not limited to the Tohono O’odham, Pascua Yaqui, Apache & others.
  • In 2020, FOSS4G, another major mapping & open-source conference is being held in Calgary, Alberta Canada. Shifting SOTM-US to the Southwest is strategically advantageous.
  • Tucson has a vibrant cultural and artistic community.
  • Tucson has a streetcar that connects UA to downtown Tucson, has dedicated bike lanes and paths, and provides several alternative transportation methods such as rental bikes and electric scooters.
  • Tucson International (TUS) is a small, international airport with direct flights from many airline hubs. There are also shuttles from the Phoenix airport (PHX) that run more than 10 times daily. Transit time roughly 1.5 hours.

Geo Community at U of A + Arizona

  • We have a well-respected School of Geography & Development which is home to both Geography & Geographic Information Systems degree programs. There are several researchers actively using OSM data in their research.
  • We have a digital literacy and data science community called Research Bazaar. Last year at the annual “ResBaz Conference” OpenStreetMap was introduced through a HOTOSM Mapathon. There is also a newly established Maptime Tucson which will be the first Maptime chapter in Arizona. MaptimeTUS will launch in the Spring at the University of Arizona Library's CATalyst Studios. OSM will be heavily featured & promoted in our programming like it is with many other Maptime chapters. The CATalyst Studios hosts a Data Viz wall, a maker space, VR/AR studios, and a green room that can be used by attendees.
  • Because of our geographic location it may be an opportunity to also engage with OSM Mexico and facilitate some unique topics for discussions around mapping borderlands. Maybe even offer a track in Spanish. There could also be opportunities to engage with indigenous communities & Tribal Nations of Tohono O'odham and Pascua Yaqui. If those are things of interest to OSM US. U of A is designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution.
  • YouthMappers, a USAID funded initiative is now administratively based at Arizona State University in Phoenix, led by Dr. Patricia Solis. Dr. Solis and her work with YouthMappers have become integral to the expansion of OSM communities around the world. Dr. Solis & others at ASU are excited at the prospect of hosting SOTM-US in Arizona. Partnering with ASU will be critical in our efforts to draw sponsorships & volunteers from the Phoenix metro area.
  • Having SOTMUS here would be a boost to our geo-community. A small number of us are working hard to promote geospatial data literacy, open source, and open data efforts. SOTMUS would be an opportunity for people here to find a connection to a larger geo-community that shares those values, while at the same time helping us raise awareness of our efforts with potential community members.

Local Organizing Team

    • Student Union Event Coordinators
      • Angelique Leon, U of A Student Union Sales Event Planner
    • UA Libraries
    • UA Geographic Information Systems Program
      • Dr. Chris Lukinbeal, Director
      • Andrew Grogan, Senior Instructional Specialist
    • University Information Technology Services/Research Innovation & Impact
      • Dr. Blake Joyce, Assistant Director of Research Computing
    • Community Member
      • Alex Pakalniskis
    • OSM or QGIS Mexico
      • Celine Jacquin?
    • Arizona State University
      • Matt Toro, Director Map & Geospatial Hub (Libraries)
      • Dr. Patricia Solis, Executive Director of the Knowledge Exchange for Resilience, Co-Founder & Director of YouthMappers

Budget & Expenses

Estimated Costs* Memorial Student Union, University of Arizona Notes
Venue $2,580 ($860/day) Grand Ballroom with 4 adjacent, concurrent session rooms are included.

Ballroom: 1,100 theater style w/ room for Vendors

Session rooms (Catalina, Tucson, Rincon & Santa Rita): 110 theater style capacity

Additional Rooms $90/day if additional, smaller breakout or meeting rooms are needed.
Saturday Social (off site) $20,000
Staffing & A/V $15,000 Staffing, A/V, Video Recording, Photographer
Catering (500 attendees) $50,000 Breakfast x3 days

Lunch x3 days

Coffee, Water, Snacks x3 days

Support Materials & Marketing $8,000
Childcare $7,000
TOTAL $102,580

*Costs are estimates only and subject to change depending on final group numbers, technical requirements or staffing needs.

Logistics

Getting to Tucson

Method Los Angeles Chicago New York Atlanta Denver Seattle Mexico City Toronto
Flight to TUS↮ $186 $352 $329 $387 $247 $226 $487 $389
Flight to PHX + Shuttle↻ NA NA NA NA NA NA $478 NA

↮Rates determined by Kayak.com ‘Explore’ tool with up to one top (https://www.kayak.com/explore/TUS-anywhere/20201008,20201012?stops=1)

↻ Includes round trip shuttle from PHX to U of A Campus for ~ $86 (https://groometucson.hudsonltd.net/res). Rates higher than just flying to TUS are excluded.

Getting Around Tucson and the U of A Campus

Staying in Tucson

  • Tucson Marriott University Park
    • Commute: 7 minute walk
    • Currently $209 per night (1 room, single occupancy)
  • Aloft Tucson University
    • Commute: 15 minute walk, Sun Link Street Car, or CatTran (free)
    • $209 per night (1 room, single occupancy)
  • AirBnB - lots of casitas in neighborhoods surrounding campus
    • Commute: variable, mostly walking, Sun Link Street Car, or CatTran (free)
    • 300+ rentals to choose from with a wide range of price points
    • ~$86+ per night

Activities

Food for Thought

Tucson Meet Yourself was hosted this year on October 11th. Locally known as “Tucson Eat Yourself” this festival runs for three days and has around 50 food vendors a year. Half are nonprofit cultural clubs, churches and temples, and the other half are small, local vendors. No national vendors are allowed during the event. Beyond the food, there are artists, dancers, cultural demonstrations, and basically everything that makes being human special. Everyone is welcome (https://www.visittucson.org/visit/events/tucson-meet-yourself).

Tucson is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has designated Tucson a City of Gastronomy - honoring the 4000 years of Mexican and Native American food traditions as well as modern culinary innovation. We have 23 miles of the best Mexican food in the country. We’ll prove it (https://tucson.cityofgastronomy.org/).

For the Naturalists

The Desert Museum (30 min drive from U of A): This renowned combination zoo, natural history museum, botanical garden and art gallery reflects the diverse flora and fauna of the Sonoran Desert, featuring wildlife such as coyotes, bears and mountain lions in their natural settings and two aviaries; one for hummingbirds and the other for varied desert birds.

Saguaro National Park West or East (45 min drive from U of A): A combined 92,000 acres of preserved Sonoran desert landscapes, flora and fauna including the iconic saguaro cactus.

Tumamoc (10-20 min drive from U of A; or 30-40 min bus ride): A popular in-town hiking destination that leads to sweeping views of Tucson and surrounding mountain ranges, it is home to The Desert Laboratory on Tumamoc Hill, an 860-acre ecological reserve owned and operated by the University of Arizona College of Science. Tumamoc Hill, whose name derives from the Tohono O'odham place name Chemamagi Do’ag—Hill of the Horned Lizard. Tumamoc is culture, ecology, a site of community gathering, conservation, art, archaeology, history, and much more. Tumamoc is an active research center where multiple approaches come together to better understand the Sonoran Desert and arid environments.

Sabino Canyon Recreation Area (30 min drive from U of A): Located in the Catalina Mountains and part of the Coronado National Forest, this beautiful canyon offers outdoor recreation including hiking, swimming, biking and picnicking. For an overview of the area, take the narrated shuttle bus tour.

For the Historians

Barrio Viejo: Just south of downtown is a neighborhood known for colorful adobe houses, Mexican cantinas, and its many brewpubs and retro-style cocktail bars. At El Tiradito “wishing shrine,” visitors light candles and leave prayer notes in the crumbling walls. Other cultural draws include the Jewish History Museum, in Arizona’s first synagogue, and the Museum of Contemporary Art, in a converted firehouse.

Pima Air & Space Museum is one of the largest non-government funded aviation and space museums in the world! Featuring over 350 historical aircrafts, from a Wright Flyer to a 787 Dreamliner. Sitting on 80 acres the museum opened its doors to the public in May of 1976. Over the past forty years, the museum has grown immensely and today encompasses six indoor exhibit hangars with three dedicated to WWII.

Arizona State Museum (on the U of A campus, 5 min walk), established in 1893, is the oldest and largest anthropological research museum in the U.S. Southwest, with expansive collections that are exceptional resources for the study, teaching, and appreciation of the region’s 13,000-year human history (https://statemuseum.arizona.edu/).

Other

The TENWEST Impact Festival helps the curious and the impassioned solve the great economic, social, cultural and environmental challenges facing Tucson communities. Myriad activities, talks, workshops, etc will be hosted from Oct. 9-18th (https://tenwest.com/). The University of Arizona helps to host this event, and we will reach out for special pricing for attendees of SOTM-US if selected as the host.

Sunbathing. Seriously. It’s 80-90 °F with light breezes of 7 mph on average in October (https://weatherspark.com/m/2857/10/Average-Weather-in-October-in-Tucson-Arizona-United-States).

Heaven Meets Earth: SOTM-US Stargazing and Astronomy

Flandrau Planetarium (https://flandrau.org/)

At the University of Arizona's Richard F. Caris Mirror Laboratory, scientists, engineers, and technicians have developed innovations in constructing large lightweight mirrors with unprecedented surface accuracy (https://mirrorlab.arizona.edu/). This 90-minute tour provides a unique opportunity to learn how innovative engineering and optical technology melds with manufacturing techniques to produce the largest and most advanced giant (8.4 meters / 27 ft) telescope mirrors in the world on the University of Arizona campus.

The Sky Bar is a solar powered cafe by day and a stargazing bar by night. Telescopes are set up in the outdoor patio area nightly for viewing celestial bodies hosted by U of A Astronomy graduate students (https://skybartucson.com/astronomy/).

Day trips to local telescopes e.g. Kitt Peak (https://www.noao.edu/kpvc/Plan/).

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