Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering Building

National Optical Astronomy Observatory was formed in 1982 to consolidate all Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy-managed, ground-based astronomical observatories, including Kitt Peak National, Cerro Tololo Inter-American, and National Solar observatories. The observatory also represents the United States astronomical community in the International Gemini Project through its Gemini Science Center. It provides ground-based astronomical telescopes to the nation's astronomers, promotes public understanding and support of science, and to help advance all aspects of astronomy. As a national facility, its telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional affiliation. National Optical Astronomy Observatory is funded by the National Science Foundation, and operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy. The observatory is headquartered in Tucson, Ariz.

NOAO is a research and development center for ground-based nighttime astronomy in the United States and is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA). The center is enabling the development of the U.S. optical-infrared system. Its data is useful for scientific research, education and public outreach purposes. NOAO is engaged in the development of telescopes, instruments and software tools for the exploration and investigation of different planets, stars and galaxies in the universe. The center offers an education and public outreach program for teachers, students and amateur astronomers. It operates the NOAO Gemini Science Center. NOAO also develops various activities to teach the concepts of adaptive optics to high school students.

Established in 1967, Infrared Laboratories, also known as IRLabs, provides solutions for advanced instrumentation challenges of the astronomy, physics, chemistry and aerospace communities. It offers infrared emission microscopes for the semiconductor industry that provides backside failure analysis, yield enhancement and debugging with unprecedented visibility. IRLabs develops, provides and supports advanced instrumentation for scientific research and engineering. It offers a wide range of scientific and technical products, including detectors, cryogenic systems, cooled infrared cameras, bolometers and astronomical research cameras. IRLabs also develops a variety of specialized products, technologies, components and devices to support the instrumentation requirements of its customers. It offers a wide range of components and devices, including Winston cone concentrators, amplifiers, infrared blocking filters, cryogenic stepper motors and thermoelectric coolers. Infrared Laboratories is located in Tucson, Ariz.