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MMT Observatory

@mmtobservatory.bsky.social
635 followers 30 following 27 posts

The MMT Observatory is a 6.5-meter telescope at the summit of Mt. Hopkins, Arizona. The MMT is operated by U. of Arizona and Smithsonian Observatory under a permit from the US Forest Service. Any questions about what we do, just ask! www.mmto.org

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MMT Observatory @mmtobservatory.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
A snapshot of progress on the construction of the new “bowl” dorm near the summit of Mount Hopkins. After the crews left for the day, a Coatimundi searches for lunch scraps in the dumpster!
A large grey wall can be seen as part of the construction of a new building. A smaller brown wall can be seen in the background. A coati walks along the edge of a dumpster
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MMT Observatory @mmtobservatory.bsky.social · 02/09/2025
MMT Binospec observations of the location of the brightest fast radio burst (FRB) by our colleagues at Northwestern University are highlighted at CNN www.cnn.com/2025/08/26/s... and Sky & Telescope skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-ne.... 🔭
cnn.com
Brightest fast radio burst ever detected could help solve an enduring cosmic mystery | CNN
The brightest fast radio burst ever detected could help reveal what celestial source causes the mysterious signals and if they repeat like cosmic heartbeats.
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MMT Observatory @mmtobservatory.bsky.social · 29/07/2025
The three week long “summer shutdown” at the MMT began last week. We spend the time working on annual preventive maintenance and engineering activities that can’t be done during normal operations. This year, that includes listening to the natural vibrations of the telescope (so we can suppress them)
Engineers stand next to the telescope with headphones. They are listening to a recording of the telescope’s natural vibrations and the motors.
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MMT Observatory @mmtobservatory.bsky.social · 19/07/2025
We see a lot of wildlife on Mount Hopkins, including snakes. But they're not usually hanging out on the door handles. This is a harmless mountain kingsnake. Photo by J. Di Miceli
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MMT Observatory @mmtobservatory.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
On Sunday, May 18th, the sun set directly behind Kitt Peak as seen from the summit of Mount Hopkins. 🔭 Photo by Dallan Porter
The sun setting behind Kitt Peak. A number of observatory buildings can be seen in the foreground, silhouetted by the sun.
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MMT Observatory @mmtobservatory.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
Sometimes our staff take photos from a slightly different perspective. 🔭 Photo by K. Salmas
Looking through the chamber over the MMT telescope towards the south.
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MMT Observatory @mmtobservatory.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
Our 6.5m primary mirror got a much-needed contact wash a few weeks ago! This process is done twice a year, and helps maintain the reflectivity of the aluminum coating. #astronomy 🔭
The primary mirror is sprayed with water to start dislodging dust and foreign particles while the day crew prepares the mops. Cotton mops are dabbed on the surface of the mirror to wash it. The mirror is covered in soap and water. The mirror is dried with long air wands to prevent streaking. Someone stands in the central hole to soak up excess water with non-scratch material.
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Benjamin Weiner @cloud149.bsky.social · 13/04/2025
A crow having a dispute with its reflection in the VERITAS telescope mirror, seen at Whipple basecamp on the way back from @mmtobservatory.bsky.social
Crow perched on segmented telescope mirror of VERITASCrow perched on segmented telescope mirror of VERITAS
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MMT Observatory @mmtobservatory.bsky.social · 08/04/2025
Exciting night! The MMT, with the infrared MMIRS instrument, observed Uranus occult a star tonight! It was cool to see the rings and then the planet make the star (mostly) disappear. 🔭 #astronomy
Scientists watch one of Uranus’ rings occult a starScientists observe Uranus starting to occult a star Scientists observe as Uranus moves past a star and the star’s light reappears
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Benjamin Weiner @cloud149.bsky.social · 08/04/2025
Observing a star occulted by Uranus, in the infrared with MMIRS at the MMT @mmtobservatory.bsky.social
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Dr. Timothy Pickering @tepickering.bsky.social · 08/04/2025
we’re observing uranus tonight as it passes in front of a fairly bright star. the plot in the upper left shows the star passing behind several rings. @mmtobservatory.bsky.social
screen cap of a star being occulted by the rings of uranus as observed using MMIRS at the MMTO.
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MMT Observatory @mmtobservatory.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
A peaceful morning on Mt Hopkins 🔭 #astronomy
Grey-blue sky behind the summit of Mt Hopkins. The telescope and another building can be seen on top of the mountain.
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MMT Observatory @mmtobservatory.bsky.social · 16/03/2025
We spent today at the #tucsonfestivalofbooks sharing our passion for science and demonstrating how we use masks to take spectra of multiple targets at once. We will be back again tomorrow!
Booth at the Tucson Festival of Book. There are a variety of posters and books on display
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MMT Observatory @mmtobservatory.bsky.social · 15/03/2025
Weather brings mountains down! A rockslide on Mount Hopkins road on Sunday, March 9th. There was a snowstorm on Friday, March 7th. Some of the snow melted during the day on Saturday and seeped into cracks in the rocks.That water froze on Saturday night and literally broke the rocks apart!
A rock slide is blocking the road up Mt Hopkins.
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MMT Observatory @mmtobservatory.bsky.social · 11/01/2025
Looking south from the fourth floor at sunset Photo by K. Salmas #astronomy 🔭
The MMT telescope as seen from the fourth floor of the chamber. Parts of the secondary support structure and the chamber wall can been seen reflected in the mirror. 
Mountains and a yellow/orange sky can be seen through the open chamber doors.
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MMT Observatory @mmtobservatory.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
It’s not just astronomers who live on Mt Hopkins! A family of coatimundis were caught on camera crossing the road earlier this year. Photos by A. Gerl
A family of coatimundis cross the road. A baby can be seen out in frontBig step for a baby coatimundi. Its front leg is straight out and its tail is in the air.
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MMT Observatory @mmtobservatory.bsky.social · 02/12/2024
Getting ready for another night of observing. With 12 hours of useable dark time, these are some of the longest shifts for our night staff #astronomy 🔭
The MMT telescope is open and pointed at a dark blue skyOrange sunset over distant mountains
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MMT Observatory @mmtobservatory.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
A few weeks ago one of our operators captured comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS) from the summit 🔭 Photo by B. Pinault
Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS) is seen against a dark blue background with a slight orange sunset glow below. The MMT Telescope building can be seen in the foreground.
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MMT Observatory @mmtobservatory.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
MMT Observatory staff gather in the chamber in front of the telescope for the annual staff meeting and picture.
Observatory staff people below the structure of the MMT telescopeAn MMT scientist looking at the reflections in the 6.5 meter telescope mirror
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Dr. Timothy Pickering @tepickering.bsky.social · 21/11/2024
blue skies at the MMT Observatory
view of blue sky reflected in the primary mirror of the MMT Observatory
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MMT Observatory @mmtobservatory.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
Welcome to the official MMT Observatory Bluesky account! We are a 6.5-meter telescope located on Mt Hopkins, just south of Tucson, AZ. Photo by R. Howie
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