Near Haivana Nakya in Pima County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

The 1.3-meter Telescope

Photographed by Daniel Barriball, May 25, 2026

1. The 1.3-meter Telescope Marker

Inscription.

Telescopes are most commonly known by the diameter of their objective lens or primary mirror. This telescope has a 1.3-meter (50-inch) primary mirror to gather starlight. Many of the observations made here are measurements of the brightnesses of stars and galaxies in the visible and infrared. These observations are used to determine temperatures and chemical compositions of stars, the ages of star clusters, and the internal structure of stars. Infrared observations are particularly important in studies of the early and late stages of the evolution of stars, because these stages often take place inside of clouds of dust which heavily obscure the stars in the visible but less in the infrared.

In recent years the 1.3-meter telescope has played a valuable role in the development of sensitive infrared array detectors, which now allow astronomers to obtain two-dimensional images in the infrared. This capability had previously been limited to visible light, using CCDs or photographic plates. These new detectors have been employed in imaging cameras and spectrometers, which are frequently used on this telescope, as well as on

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the 2.1-meter and 4-meter telescopes.

The 1.3-meter telescope is not open for public viewing.

Erected by Kitt Peak National Observatory.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Science & Medicine.

Location. 31° 57.585′ N, 111° 35.896′ W. Marker is near Haivana Nakya, Arizona, in Pima County. It is on Arizona 386 12 miles south of Arizona 86, on the right when traveling south. This marker stands across the street from the visitor center at Kitt Peak National Observatory. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: AZ-386, Sells AZ 85634, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Sky Islands,

in the Sonoran Desert,

in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area,

in the Tucson Metro Metropolitan Area,

and in the Tohono O’odham Nation.

It is also in the American Borderlands

and in the Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also the Gadsden Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least

The 1.3-meter Telescope Marker in context image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Daniel Barriball, May 25, 2026

2. The 1.3-meter Telescope Marker in context

The marker is under the trees. The telescope's dome can be seen behind the trees.

7 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: WIYN Observatory (within shouting distance of this marker); The Concrete Donut (within shouting distance of this marker); Kitt Peak National Observatory (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The McMath Solar Telescope (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named The WIYN Observatory (about 700 feet away); Steward Observatory (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Vacuum Telescope (approx. 0.2 miles away).

Regarding The 1.3-meter Telescope. CCD is an acronym for charge-coupled device. CCDs have almost entirely replaced photographic plates or film for detecting the light gathered by a telescope.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 13, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.