Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope

The Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope features a 4.24-meter primary mirror and operates in visible to near-infrared wavelengths at 3084 meters elevation.

Construction of this scientific facility began in January 2013 after receiving a 298 million dollar contract, with first light achieved in December 2019.

The telescope stands on Mount Haleakalā, where officials maintain regular meetings with native Hawaiian groups to respect the sacred nature of the location.

This observatory enables researchers to examine solar phenomena and predict space weather effects on satellites, telecommunications, and power grids on Earth.

The telescope's adaptive optics system allows scientists to observe solar features as small as 20 kilometers across on the sun's surface.

Location: Maui County

Elevation above the sea: 3,084 m

Diameter: 4 m

Part of: Haleakalā Observatory

Website: https://nso.edu/telescopes/dki-solar-telescope

GPS coordinates: 20.70971,-156.25348

Latest update: May 18, 2025 23:31