Stargazing at the Miraval Resort Just over 9,000 feet up Mount Lemmon in the Coronado National Forest sits the University of Arizona's SkyCenter, which houses the largest telescope in the southwest open for public observing. The university boasts an elite academic astronomy program, and the telescope is a Tucson treasure; scholars travel from around the world to spend an evening studying the far-off galaxies visible from the observatory. The university recently teamed up with another of Tucson's big draws: the Miraval Resort & Spa, known for its experiential programming. Beginning in February, Miraval will offer its own, more grounded version of "space tourism," with excursions to the SkyCenter for stargazing, and to the university campus where visitors will be able to see some of the world's largest telescope mirrors being built. The educational adventure begins at the resort with a lecture by an astronomer from the University of Arizona. Next up is a tour of the mirror labs, located underneath the school's football field (the only area on campus large enough to accommodate their construction). If a visit to an underground site that gives the impression of - as the astronomy layman and Miraval president Michael Tompkins calls it - "a top-secret C.I.A. laboratory" isn't enough, Day 2 includes an evening at the SkyCenter guided by Adam Block, an astro-photographer and winner of the 2012 Hubble Award. Block says this offers visitors the chance "to see, really with their own eyes, what the universe looks like; the kind of things most only read about in books or see on TV." He also coaches guests on how to take photos of faraway galaxies, the Milky Way and solar systems. These are far from snapshots: one photo can take hours to create, depending on the distance of what is being photographed and the exposure time required to capture it. Sleeping quarters at the center are rustic - they were designed for scientists at work, after all - but there is always the option to return to Miraval for overnight accommodations. And a visit to one of the country's leading resorts would not be complete without some soothing rejuvenation: the "Tranquil Nights Outdoor Spa Treatment" included in the $599 program might not be quite as strictly educational, but it offers its own escapist pleasures. Miraval Resort & Spa, 5000 East Via Estancia Miraval, Tucson; (800) 232-3969.