Anderson Mesa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Anderson Mesa |
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 Anderson Mesa
Location in Arizona
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 7,211 ft (2,198 m) NAVD 88 |
| Geography | |
| Location | Coconino County, Arizona, U.S. |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Mesa |
Anderson Mesa (in the Navajo language: Hosh Dikʼání) is a flat-topped hill, also known as a mesa. It is about 5 miles long. You can find it in Coconino County, Arizona.
This mesa is located about 20 miles southeast of Flagstaff, Arizona. It sits east of Lake Mary and north of Mormon Lake. Its elevation, or height above sea level, ranges from about 6,200 to 7,200 feet.
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What is Anderson Mesa?
Anderson Mesa is a natural landform. It is a type of mountain with a very flat top. This flat shape makes it a great spot for special scientific equipment. It is known for its clear skies and high elevation. These features are perfect for looking at stars and space.
A Home for Stargazing
Since the 1950s, Anderson Mesa has been a key location for astronomy. Its high elevation and flat surface are ideal for observatories. These are places where scientists use powerful telescopes. They study planets, stars, and galaxies.
Lowell Observatory's Station
The Lowell Observatory built its Anderson Mesa Station here in 1959. This station uses telescopes to observe the night sky. Scientists at Lowell Observatory have made many important discoveries. They study everything from planets in our solar system to distant stars.
Later, in 1992, the Naval Observatory also set up a facility. It is called the Navy Precision Optical Interferometer, or "NPOI" for short. This is a very advanced telescope. It combines light from several smaller telescopes. This allows it to see details that a single telescope cannot. NPOI helps scientists measure the exact positions of stars.
Fun Fact
Anderson Mesa has even inspired music! The American rock band Jimmy Eat World wrote a song named after it. The song "Anderson Mesa" was released in 1996.
