| Graham County, Arizona is one of the best places | | | | telescopes to be used for the time being. |
| to star gaze and study Astronomy. The Vatican | | | | Discovery Park is more than just an observatory |
| even donated a telescope to the Mount Graham | | | | it also includes a full-motion simulator that takes |
| International Observatory. Mt. Graham is one of | | | | guests on a ride past Mt. Graham to tour the |
| the highest mountains in Arizona located in a very | | | | solar system. A riparian habitat was added as a |
| rural area in southern Arizona. It was in the | | | | "Nature's Hideaway." And a replica of a 1860s |
| mid-1980s that the idea came about to put an | | | | steam locomotive delivers guests to the Circle D |
| observatory on the top of the mountain. | | | | ranch past the wildlife habitat. |
| This idea quickly turned into an expanded version | | | | In the summer of 2006, the park came under the |
| of an observatory called Discovery Park, an | | | | control of Eastern Arizona College's Governing |
| education and entertainment retreat, emphasizing | | | | Board. The park now has a much better |
| the science and culture of the Gila Valley, from | | | | foundation upon which it can thrive as an |
| mining and agriculture to space exploration. | | | | educational campus, emphasizing science and |
| Not only the Vatican, but also the University of | | | | technology for the leaders of tomorrow. Visitors |
| Arizona donated high grade telescopes to the | | | | can take the MGIO Tours and the facility can be |
| observatory for research and educational | | | | rented about to groups. |
| purposes. The Vatican has lent two other | | | | |
