University of Arizona

Students, faculty, staff, and the public are now welcome to visit Special Collections without an appointment from 9 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday.

History of Science

Engraved Star Atlas showing the position of the supernova in the constellation Ophiuchus, the serpent holder, from Johannis Keppler's De stella nova in pede Serpentarii ... published in 1606.

The development and transmission of key scientific ideas is contained in a dynamic selection of titles documenting advances in many branches of science starting with the 16th century.

The collection features landmark volumes and manuscript collections in the fields of optics, astronomy and physics.

Highlighted Collections

Papers of Andrew Ellicott Douglass

Contains materials related to A.E. Douglass' astronomical and tree-ring research, and administration, at the Harvard College Observatory, Lowell Observatories, Steward Observatory, Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research, and University of Arizona.

Bart Bok Collection

Documents his astronomical research, instruction and administration at Harvard University, the Australian National University, the University of Arizona and associated observatories.

All items in History of Science

Land Acknowledgement

We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples. Today, Arizona is home to 22 federally recognized tribes, with Tucson being home to the O’odham and the Yaqui. Committed to diversity and inclusion, the University strives to build sustainable relationships with sovereign Native Nations and Indigenous communities through education offerings, partnerships, and community service.