NASA infrared telescope facility, Hawaii, 1979

NASA infrared telescope facility, Hawaii, 1979. The three metre infrared telescope is mounted in the single storey building. Situated at an altitude of 4100 metres near the summit of Mount Kea, Hawaii, this facility opened in 1979 and is operated for NASA by the University of Hawaii. The main emphasis of its work is on studies of the Solar System. Because of the excellent observing conditions allowed by its altitude, weather and distance from light polution, Mauna Kea is home to a number of obervatories, including those housing the twin Keck telescopes, the world's largest optical and infra-red instruments. ©SSPL/NASA