Latest News
Welcome to New MMTO Staff
Sep 13, 2012
Three new staff members have recently joined the MMTO. Joannah Hinz, Assistant Staff Scientist, joined us in July; Erin Martin, Telescope Operator, Sr., started in August; and Richard Cool, Assistant Staff Scientist, joined us in early September. To read more …
Record-Breaking Stellar Explosion Helps Understand Far-Off Galaxy
Aug 31, 2012
Astronomers have used light from an exploding star to study a galaxy an astonishing 9.5 billion light-years away. The new data, obtained in part at the MMT Observatory, uses the unique signatures of a distant ultra-luminous supernova to determine …
Space-Warping White Dwarfs Produce Gravitational Waves
Aug 29, 2012
A short period eclipsing binary white dwarf system that was discovered last year by astronomers observing at the MMT shows the effects of general relativistic gravitational waves. To read an exciting update, click here.
Dr. Roger Angel – Innovator
Aug 24, 2012
Dr. Roger Angel, astronomer and pioneer in telescope technology is looking to use new low cost mirrors to collect solar energy in an effort to mitigate global warming issues. As Director of the Steward Observatory Mirror Lab, Dr. Angel …
Work on Mt. Hopkins Road Between Summit and Ridge Area
Aug 01, 2012
Starting on Monday, Oct. 22, 2012, road paving maintenance will begin on Mt. Hopkins Rd. between the Summit and the Ridge (around km 17) and will be completed by approximately Nov. 9. The road in this area will be …
Tucson and Urban Stargazers
Jul 23, 2012
For a fun report on some local professional and amateur astronomers, read this NPR report.
MMTO in the News
Jul 23, 2012
A recent article in the LA Times discusses the potential impact of mining upon nearby observatories. You can read the article here.
Dark Skies Waning
Jul 06, 2012
A documentary entitled “The City Dark” is currently being shown on PBS channels. For local comments, Arizona Public Media interviewed Grant Williams, MMTO Director, and Scott Kardel of the International Dark-Sky Association. To hear their comments and to learn more …
Summer Conferences
Jun 14, 2012
MMTO personnel are participating in the American Astronomical Society (AAS) and the Society of Photo-0ptical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE) conferences this summer. One staff member attended and presented a poster at the June AAS meeting in Anchorage, Alaska. Four staff …
Collecting Light: An Exploration of Arizona Astronomy
May 25, 2012
A series of special reports on astronomy in Arizona called “Collecting Light” was recently aired by Arizona Public Media. Click here to see the list of topics. The MMT Observatory is featured in Part 3: The Age of the Giant Telescope.