McMath–Pierce solar telescope
McMath–Pierce solar telescope is a 1.6 m f/54 reflecting solar telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona, United States. Built in 1962, the building was designed by American architect Myron Goldsmith and Bangladeshi-American structural engineer Fazlur Rahman Khan. It was the largest solar telescope and the largest unobstructed aperture optical telescope in the world. It is named after the astronomers Robert Raynolds McMath and Keith Pierce.
| Alternative names | McMath–Pierce Telescope |
|---|---|
| Named after | Keith Pierce, Robert Raynolds McMath |
| Part of | Kitt Peak National Observatory |
| Location(s) | Arizona |
| Coordinates | 31°57′30″N 111°35′42″W |
| Organization | NOIRLab |
| Altitude | 2,096 m (6,877 ft) |
| Observing time | 79 percent |
| First light | 1962 |
| Telescope style | reflecting telescope solar telescope |
| Number of telescopes | 3 |
| Diameter | 161 cm (5 ft 3 in) |
| Angular resolution | 0.07 arcsecond |
| Collecting area | 2.04 m2 (22.0 sq ft) |
| Focal length | 87 m (285 ft 5 in) |
| Mounting | equatorial mount |
| Website | noirlab |
Location of McMath–Pierce solar telescope | |
| Related media on Commons | |
It was originally called the McMath Solar Telescope, and then later renamed the McMath-Pierce Solar Telescope in 1992. Although it is designed for observation of the Sun, it can also be used to view bright objects at night.
In 2018, the telescope received a 4.5 million USD grant for an enhanced visitor center and other programs, and to overall revitalize the national icon.