Anderson Mesa Station

Art & landmarks
In Flagstaff, Arizona
7.7 mi from Route 66

Anderson Mesa Station, an astronomical observatory, stands on Anderson Mesa in Coconino County, near Flagstaff, AZ, about 8 miles off the old road. Lowell Observatory set it up in 1959 to observe under dark skies, about 12 miles southeast of its main campus on Mars Hill. It shows how Flagstaff's astronomers moved their telescopes away from town lights, and it adds another chapter to the city's long story of sky watching.

What is Anderson Mesa Station?

The station is a research outpost of Lowell Observatory, placed on a mesa away from the glow of Flagstaff so that telescopes can work under darker skies. It takes its name from Anderson Mesa, the high, flat landform it sits on.

It is a working science site, not a museum or visitor center, and it is best appreciated as part of the story of astronomy in Flagstaff.

History of Anderson Mesa Station

Lowell Observatory established the station in 1959 to give its telescopes truly dark skies. Moving part of its work out to Anderson Mesa, about 12 miles from the main campus on Mars Hill, gave its astronomers darker nights than they had in town.

Visiting Anderson Mesa Station: tips

The station is reached by a forest service road, about 8 miles off Route 66. Public access is not described, so do not expect to tour it. Dispersed camping is about 0.7 miles away. Walnut Canyon National Monument, about 5 miles off, is a good stop in the same direction.

Practical info

Address: 6503 Forest Service Rd 9479L, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Website: lowell.edu
Hours: We have no opening hours for this stop yet — check the official site.
On site & nearby

Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · official site — may be outdated. Suggest a fix