Large Binocular Telescope (LBT)

Located on Mt Graham, the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT) observes using two 8.4m-mirrors on a common mount.

As a partner, the University of Arizona’s Steward Observatory has guaranteed observing time on the LBT. Transient science on LBT is done using primarily the Multi-Object Double Spectrographs (MODS), a pair of optical spectrographs/imagers, to observe transients and their hosts. In exceptional cases -- e.g. the observations of SN 2023ixf taken in early Summer of 2023 -- the Potsdam Echelle Polarimetric and Spectroscopic Instrument (PEPSI), a fiber-feed high-resolution optical echelle spectrograph, can be used to observe very bright transients in extremely high resolution.

MMT

Located on Mt. Hopkins, the MMT observes using a 6.5m mirror.

Observing time on the MMT is primarily split between the University of Arizona’s Steward Observatory and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Transient science on MMT is done using Binospec, a multislit optical imaging spectrograph, and the MMT and Magellan Infrared Spectrograph (MMIRS), a wide-field near-IR imager and multi-object spectrograph, to observe transients and their hosts. Members of the transient science group have worked with MMT staff to develop PyMMT, an API designed to facilitate submitting rapid Target of Opportunity (rToO) observations, which allows for prompt follow-up of transient events on MMT, one of the world’s largest telescopes.

Bok 90"

Located on Kitt Peak, the Bok 90” (2.3m) telescope is the largest telescope operated solely by Steward Observatory.

Observers at Bok operate the telescope themselves and stay on the mountain for the duration of their run. Members of the transient science group go up to Bok about eight times a year for 2-3 day runs to observe bright transient events using primarily the Boller and Chivens Spectrograph (B&C Spec).

Kuiper 61"

The Kuiper 61” (1.54m) telescope is located on Mt Biglow in the Catalina Mountains north of Tucson.

The Monk4k imager on Kuiper has a large field of view which makes it ideal for finding kilonovae associated with gravitational wave events. Transient science can also be done using SPOL (PI Paul Smith), an imaging spectropolarimeter, which can be used on the Kuiper 61”, the Bok 90”, and the MMT to observe asymmetries in bright transient events.

Super-LOTIS

Super-LOTIS is the second iteration of the Livermore Optical Transient Imaging System 0.6m telescope located on Kitt Peak.

Super-LOTIS is an automated telescope with the ability to rapidly slew between targets specifically to enable prompt follow-up of gamma ray bursts and other bright transients. Super-LOTIS’s new UV camera will enable the bluest U-band imaging possible from the ground, opening up a new portal to the UV sky.

Other Telescopes We Use

James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)

Hubble Space Telescope (HST)

Very Large Array (VLA)

Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA)

Magellan Telescope

Gemini Observatory

Keck Observatory

DLT40 Telescopes

Las Cumbres Robotic Telescope Network

Telescopes & Instrumentation