Nicholas U. Mayall Telescope, Optical telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory, Arizona
The Nicholas U. Mayall Telescope features a 4-meter primary mirror made of fused quartz, operating at an elevation of 2,120 meters above sea level.
After its inauguration in 1973, this telescope ranked as the second-largest telescope worldwide and contributed to the discovery of methane ice on Pluto in 1976.
The telescope stands within the Tohono O'odham Nation territory, representing a conjunction between modern astronomical research and Native American lands.
The telescope operates with three focal points and contains the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument, which measures light from millions of galaxies through 5,000 fiber optic sensors.
The telescope structure rises eighteen stories high and remains visible from distances of fifty miles across the Arizona-Sonoran Desert.
Location: Arizona
Official opening: 1973
Elevation above the sea: 2,120 m
Diameter: 4 m
Part of: Kitt Peak National Observatory
Website: https://noirlab.edu/public/programs/kitt-peak-national-observatory/nicholas-mayall-4m-telescope
GPS coordinates: 31.96340,-111.60000
Latest update: March 3, 2025 20:03
Mission San Xavier del Bac
58.1 km
Titan Missile Museum
57.2 km
Kitt Peak National Observatory
646 m
Sentinel Peak
63.6 km
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
51.3 km
Baboquivari Peak Wilderness
19.3 km
Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument
648 m
Kitt Peak
182 m
McMath–Pierce Solar Telescope
730 m
El Tiradito
65.3 km
Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge
38.2 km
Tucson ring meteorite
61.2 km
WIYN Telescope
664 m
ARO 12m Radio Telescope
1.8 km
Michigan-Dartmouth-MIT Observatory
2 km
Black Mountain
53.1 km
Desert Laboratory
63.4 km
Bok Telescope
56 m
Gu Achi Peak
50.1 km
Arivaca Schoolhouse
50.1 km
San Ignacio Golf Club
57.6 km
Barrio El Membrillo Historic District
65.1 km
McGraw-Hill Telescope
2.2 km
All Souls Procession Finale
64.6 km
Hiltner 2.4m Telescope
2 km
Red Hills Visitor Center
49.9 km
Gates Pass Shelter House
55.2 km
SARA-KP
314 mReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes