The McMath-Pierce Solar Telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory inwards Arizona , USA , looks similar a monumental slice of modern art. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 nifty white , inverted-V similar concrete construction rises 110 feet upwardly towards the heaven from which a shaft slants 2 hundred feet to the ground. At the overstep of the tower is a 3-mirror heliostat which collects the sun’s lite in addition to directs it downwards the diagonal tunnel which continues for around other iii hundred feet into the mount , forming an cloak-and-dagger tunnel. At the base of operations of the tunnel is a 34-inch parabolic mirror that captures the ikon of the sun. Built inwards 1962 , it is the world's largest solar musical instrument every bit good every bit the largest unobstructed aperture optical telescope , amongst a diameter of 1.6 meters. Although designed to written report the Sun , it is in addition to thus sensitive that it tin fifty-fifty abide by brilliant stars inwards the night.
Aerial persuasion of the McMath-Pierce Solar Telescope. Photo credit: prezi.com
In add-on to the primary mirror , in that place are also an East- in addition to West-auxiliary telescope which are completely independent of the original telescope in addition to are equipped amongst their ain heliostats in addition to mirrors. Instruments within the cloak-and-dagger facility include a dual grating spectrograph capable of extended wavelength coverage (0.3-12 microns) , a 1-meter Fourier Transform Spectrometer for both solar in addition to laboratory analysis , a high-dispersion stellar spectrometer , in addition to bunch of other detectors.
The telescope’s observation room in addition to instruments are located cloak-and-dagger to avoid the temperature fluctuations that give off aboveground. The heliostat that is exposed at the overstep of the tower is protected yesteryear a steel jacket in addition to a cooling system.
The McMath-Pierce Telescope is used to written report the construction of sunspots , every bit good every bit sunspot spectra. Important discoveries made amongst this telescope include the presence of H2O in addition to isotopic helium inwards the Sun , solar emission lines at 12 microns , get-go measuring of Kilogauss magnetic fields exterior sunspots in addition to the real weak intra-network fields , get-go high resolution images at 1.6 in addition to 10 microns , every bit good every bit detection of a natural maser inwards the Martian atmosphere.
The telescope is named afterward astronomers Robert McMath in addition to Keith Pierce. At its dedication inwards 1962 , doctor Waterman read a missive of the alphabet from President Kennedy which began:
“The nifty novel solar telescope at the Kitt Peak National Observatory inwards Arizona is a root of pride to the nation. The largest musical instrument for solar question inwards the the world , it presents American astronomers amongst a unique tool for investigating the nearest of the stars , our sun. This projection is of especial involvement to all our citizens...”
Photo credit: Daniel Ramirez/Flickr
Photo credit: Daniel Ramirez/Flickr
Photo credit: Daniel Ramirez/Flickr
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Heliostat of McMath Pierce Solar Telescope on Kitt Peak at Sunset. Photo credit: NSO/AURA/NSF
Photo credit: globenewswire.com
Interior persuasion looking upwardly the tunnel of the The National Solar Observatory McMath-Pierce Solar Telescope on Kitt Peak National Observatory. Photo credit: P. Marenfeld & NOAO/AURA/NSF
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Photo credit: Sam Howzit/Flickr
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