The United Kingdom Infrared Telescope (UKIRT). The metre diameter main mirror of this reflecting telescope sits in the blue cell at the bottom. Du
The United Kingdom Infrared Telescope (UKIRT). The metre diameter main mirror of this reflecting telescope sits in the blue cell at the bottom. Due to a special design, it is one third as thick as the mirrors of normal telescopes & weighs only tons. This enabled the building of a support structure (the yellow frame) less massive than that used in other telescopes. Under the blue mirror cell is the instrument support unit, which carries four infrared detector systems, any of which may be selected for use. UKIRT is at an altitude of 4200 metres on the dormant volcano Mauna Kea in Hawaii.
Size: 5153px × 3449px
Photo credit: © DR FRED ESPENAK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: astronomy, astrophysics, hawaii, infrared, kea, kingdom, mauna, observatory, telesc, telescope, uk, ukirt, united, usa
