Latest News
New Discovery
Oct 10, 2014
Researchers at ASU recently announced the discovery of a wide brown dwarf companion to the nearby star zeta Delphini using data taken at the MMT with the ARIES instrument. The star and its brown dwarf, which are about 67 parsecs …
Light Pollution: A Continuing Problem
Oct 06, 2014
Implementation of well-planned lighting codes can help Arizona’s astronomy industry, as well as keep residents safe. Read more about the effects of light pollution.
Historical Photo of the MMTO
Sep 29, 2014
In 1981, a photograph was taken of the sun rising behind the original MMTO from a small telescope located on Kitt Peak, nearly 47 miles away – click here to view the Photo, which now hangs in the newly furnished and …
Margaret J. Geller Receives Award
Sep 29, 2014
Dr. Margaret J. Geller, Harvard/CfA astrophysicist, was recently awarded this year’s Karl Schwarzschild Medal of the German Astronomical Society. This prestigious award honors outstanding achievements of fundamental importance in astronomical research. Dr. Geller has been a frequent user of …
Art Piece Inspired by the MMTO
Sep 18, 2014
For a very interesting and intriguing perspective, take a look at some large scale assemblages by artist John Zaklikowski. He uses computer and electronic parts, as well as more common objects to produce his artwork, described by him as a “testament …
HSRED Version 2.0 Released
Aug 19, 2014
We are pleased to release version 2.0 of HSRED, a reduction package for Hectospec data. This update incorporates a number of significant improvements provided by the Telescope Data Center at SAO. Key changes include new support for the 600-line …
Variability Discovered in Star System
Jul 30, 2014
Arizona astronomers have used the MMT’s adaptive optics system and the ARIES instrument to discover significant changes in the appearance of the variable binary star system UY Aurigae since 1994. The new spectrum is only the second ever published …
Fire Restrictions Lifted – July 11
Jul 11, 2014
Due to rains, fire restrictions have been lifted for now by the Forest Service. Please continue to practice good fire safety rules, including disposing of cigarettes in ashtrays. For more details, read here. Fireworks and similar devices are prohibited year-round …
Distant Milky Way M Giants
Jul 10, 2014
Scientists using the MMT’s Red Channel Spectrograph have discovered the most distant Milky Way stars known to date. The red giant stars lie almost a third of the way to the Andromeda Galaxy. Read more.
A New Discovery
Jun 18, 2014
Researchers using the MMT’s Blue Channel Spectrograph have discovered a pair of white dwarfs circling one another at high speed, taking only 20 minutes to complete one orbit. Only eight other similar pairs are currently known. The new discovery …