The most impressive micro manufacturing site that make such large items. Not a single square foot is wasted in this facility for the making of massive mirrors. The guides on this tour was strong in his knowledge and cover all the steps of manufacturing of this mirrors very well. Tour is 90 minutes and you have to climb stairs, but well worth the effort. Best part you get to see on of the mirrors being made. It take the average of 5 years to make each mirror. Another jem of Tucson that all should got see.

This is a fascinating place to visit. I was a bit dismayed to learn that it would entail a 45 minute lecture, but the lecture was necessary to give you the background information about what you are looking at, as well as some history, and the future plans for the mirrors created here.The day we went, it was pretty quiet. The mirror oven was spinning very slowly, and there was no active polishing going on. Maybe other days/tours get to see more work in progress. Regardless, this was a very interesting way to spend a couple of hours and learn about the way the giant mirrors are made.

Our tour of the mirror lab provided a fascinating view of the processes involved in making the largest telescope mirrors. This is clearly a unique facility and national resource; the mirrors built here have supported our generations explosive growth in understanding the visible universe. Our tour guide did an excellent job of clearly explaining the technical elements to an audience with a broad range of visitors, both in age and background.

I cant believe I forgot to write a review of this place. Fascinating tour of the place where they actually make the glass mirrors. Must see. BTW these latest photos are actually from 2014. I forgot to post them.

Powerpoint presentation was very interesting and the docent was able to answer all questions from an audience that was not technically minded. Informative tour with a close look at the manufacturing processes involved in the creation of the telescope mirrors. Would recommend to anyone with the vaguest of curiosities as to how these mirrors are constructed.

Maybe the information just wasn’t presented very well. I felt like the ticket was overpriced. My husband enjoyed it though.

If youre into science-y stuff, this place is quite interesting. We enjoyed the tour.

This tour is fascinating in how it explains the complexity of the many problems which needed to be solved, and the creativity of how they did them. Any stage of the manufacturing process you see will amaze you.

Visit the Mirror Lab today if possible...the lab is the only place on planet Earth that you can witness the construction of the HUGE mirrors for the Giant Magellan Telescope that will be on top of a mountain in Chile giving Earthlings a view into our Universe seeing twice as far as the orbiting Hubble Telescope.

There is not much to see, it is basically a lecture.You can watch the videos online.

Excellent tour.