Latest News

May – August MMT Observing Schedule

Mar 18, 2014

The observing schedule for May through August has been posted, along with program titles.

>> Read Now



Discovery of First Hypervelocity Globular Cluster

Mar 03, 2014

SAO scientist Nelson Caldwell has used the MMT and Hectospec instrument to discover the first hypervelocity globular cluster, located near the central galaxy of the Virgo Cluster. Read more.
The fast-flying cluster of old stars was caught zooming away from the …

>> Read Now



Astronomy Magazine Editor Visits MMTO

Feb 15, 2014

Astronomy Magazine editor, David Eicher, recently visited the MMTO and the Whipple Observatory. Read about his visit in his blog and be sure to look at his photo gallery at the end of his blog!

>> Read Now



March 18 & 19 – Mt Hopkins Road Closures

Feb 10, 2014

On Tuesday and Wednesday, March 18 & 19, potholing work will be done on the Mt. Hopkins Road at one location near km 5.5 and two locations near km 9.5. The road will be closed at 8:30am, open between noon-12:30pm, …

>> Read Now



Thursday, March 6 – Mt. Hopkins Rd. Closure

Feb 10, 2014

Mt. Hopkins Road will be closed for most of the day on Thursday, March 6, starting at 9:00am. It will be open from noon – 12:30pm, then closed again until 4:00pm. Contractors will be digging holes to locate power lines …

>> Read Now



Mt. Hopkins Road – Currently open through Monday, March 17

Feb 09, 2014

Road repair work is continuing on the Mt. Hopkins Road intermittently in March around km 5.5 and km 12.  When scheduled, work will be conducted on weekdays, with the road usually scheduled to be open before 8:30am, from noon-12:30pm, …

>> Read Now



New Survey from SAO Scientists

Jan 28, 2014

Dr. Margaret Geller at Smithsonian has released a new redshift survey of a rich galaxy cluster, the first substantial spectroscopic survey of this cornerstone of extragalactic research. Read more.
The survey, done with the MMT and the Hectospec instrument, identifies 275 …

>> Read Now



January – April 2014 Observing Schedule

Dec 14, 2013

The observing schedule for January through April is posted, along with Program Titles.

>> Read Now



Meteor in Tucson

Dec 13, 2013

On Tuesday, December 10, at 7:11pm, a sonic boom hit Tucson as a large meteor passed overhead. MMT’s all sky camera captured its bright flash in a single image. The frame shows the moon (center) and the meteor (upper). See the Tucson …

>> Read Now



Facility Improvements at the MMT

Nov 01, 2013

Work began in October on the installation of a new comprehensive fire alarm system at all of the facilities on Mount Hopkins.  Work remaining at the MMT is expected to be completed by mid-December. Work continues at the other mountain …

>> Read Now