Lowell Observatory

Forty miles southeast of Flagstaff at a site called Happy Jack, we are building the 4.3-meter Discovery Channel Telescope.

The DCT will be Lowell's flagship research telescope, performing unique observational programs. But through our programming and online content in partnership with Discovery Communications, we'll bring you an ongoing inside look at the DCT and how its fascinating science is done.

Take a photo tour of the DCT.

Contribute to the DCT First Light Challenge

8 June 2010 - After nearly four years at University of Arizona College of Optical Sciences for final figuring and polishing, the 4.3-meter DCT primary mirror (M1) was successfully delivered to the telescope site on June 8, 2010. Precision Heavy Haul out of Tolleson, AZ picked up the crated M1 in Tucson, trucked it some 270 miles to Happy Jack, and unpacked and offloaded it into the optical coating chamber with assistance from Lowell and UofA technical staff. Pictured above is the technical crew with the mirror as it is lowered onto the bed of the optical coating chamber. Click here to see more photos of M1 delivery and offload.

Now that the primary mirror has been delivered, the next step will be to coat it with an extremely thin, highly reflective layer of aluminum finish. The coating process is scheduled for mid July. Pictured below is the optical coating chamber, which is located inside the auxiliary building opposite the main DCT facility building.

Optical Coating System

The DCT optical coating system at Happy Jack, AZ