Kitt Peak

Kitt Peak is the U.S. National observatory, located on a 7000 ft. peak southwest of Tucson, AZ. There are 18 telescopes of every size and variety, the largest is the 4-meter atop the highest hill.

Technician Gary Ladd set up his Nikon inside the observation deck of the 84" scope. He took this now-famous 1 minute exposure during a fierce summer monsoon. Ladd later quit his job at Kitt Peak and became a professional landscape photographer.