Latest News
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 …
Trevor C. Weekes
May 28, 2014
Dr. Trevor C. Weekes, pioneering figure in the study of very high energy gamma rays, passed away on May 26th. Dr. Weekes played key roles in the selection of the Mt. Hopkins summit as the site for the MMTO, and …
Close Companions to Two High-Redshift Quasars
Apr 28, 2014
I. McGreer (Steward Observatory) and his collaborators have reported the serendipitous discovery of companion galaxies to two high-redshift quasars, one of which was identified with observations using the MMT’s Red Channel Spectrograph! Both companions are among the brightest galaxies known …
Mt. Hopkins Road Closure – May 1 – 2
Apr 28, 2014
Culvert work will be done on the Mt. Hopkins Road at the km 9.5 area this week. The road will be open at the following times only: 8:00-8:30am, noon-12:30pm, and 4:00pm-7:00am. It will be open over the weekend.