Latest News

Adaptive Optics Upgrade

Jan 24, 2016

The f/15 secondary and adaptive optics (AO) system at the MMTO will be temporarily unavailable while the system is being upgraded as part of an NSF-funded project. The last observing run with the system prior to the upgrade was March …

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Wed., Feb. 8 – Smithsonian Lectures on Astronomy

Jan 24, 2016

This series continues with the next lecture on Wed., February 8, at 9am. Dr. Karen Knierman of Arizona State University will give a talk entitled “Train Wrecks of Galactic Size: Galaxy Mergers and the Stars They Form.” All lectures are …

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Wed., January 25 – Smithsonian Lectures on Astronomy

Jan 23, 2016

The second lecture in this series is by Dr. Christian Drouet d’Aubigny of the University of Arizona. The title of his talk is “NASA’s OSIRIS/REx Asteroid Sample Return Mission.” Please join us at the Green Valley Recreation Center at 9:00am …

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Bridge renovations nearly complete

Jan 08, 2016

The renovations at the Elephant Head Road bridge are nearly finished and the bridge is mostly open. Traffic might still be directed to use the bypass bridge located next to the main bridge if some work is taking place.

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Opening for Staff Technician – Closed

Jan 07, 2016

The MMTO has an opening for a Staff Technician, Extended Temporary (posting #S20862). Details and an online application can be found here.

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January – April 2016 Observing Schedule

Nov 18, 2015

The January-April 2016 observing schedule has been posted, along with program titles.

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A “First” Discovered in the Andromeda Galaxy

Oct 22, 2015

Using data from the MMTO’s Hectospec, astronomers have identified a rare specimen of massive star known as a Wolf-Rayet WN/C. Located in an area of active star formation in the nearby Andromeda Galaxy, the star is believed to be …

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Ongoing Improvements at the MMTO

Oct 03, 2015

Some improvements funded by the Smithsonian Institution are currently taking place at the MMTO. Improvements to the summit road, a new roof and snow melt system for the MMT enclosure, upgrades to the HVAC system, and an upgraded dock …

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Openings for Two Queue Observers – Closed

Sep 29, 2015

The MMTO has openings for two queue observers (posting# A20303). More details and an online application can be found here.

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Exposure Time Calculator for Hectospec and Binospec

Sep 15, 2015

The Telescope Data Center announces the availability of a web based Exposure Time Calculator for Hectospec and the upcoming Binospec. It can be found here. New features include an option for the 1000 line grating on Binospec, as well as …

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