UKIRT

UKIRT, the United Kingdom Infrared Telescope, is a significant astronomical observatory located at an altitude of 4,194 meters (13,760 feet) on Mauna Kea in Hawaii. It is operated by the University of Edinburgh on behalf of the UK Astronomy Technology Centre. Construction of UKIRT began in the early 1970s, and it first saw first light in 1979. Its primary mirror is 3.8 meters in diameter, and its location on Mauna Kea, one of the driest and darkest sites on Earth, provides exceptionally clear and stable atmospheric conditions ideal for infrared observations.

UKIRT was designed to be a versatile instrument for exploring the universe in the infrared spectrum, a region of light invisible to the human eye. This allows astronomers to study objects that are obscured by dust, such as star-forming regions and the centers of galaxies, as well as cooler objects like brown dwarfs and exoplanets. Over its operational life, UKIRT has been a crucial tool for numerous scientific discoveries, contributing to our understanding of the formation and evolution of stars, planets, and galaxies. It has been continuously upgraded with new instruments and technologies to maintain its scientific productivity. While newer, larger telescopes have since been commissioned, UKIRT continues to play a valuable role in specific research areas.