University of Hawaii Assumes Ownership of United Kingdom Infrared Telescope

University of Hawaiʻi
Contact:
Robert McLaren, (808) 956-8566
Associate Director, Institute for Astronomy
Kelli Abe Trifonovitch, (808) 228-8108
Director of Communications & Outreach, External Affairs and University Relations
Posted: Oct 31, 2014

The University of Hawai‘i (UH) will today assume ownership of the United Kingdom Infrared Telescope (UKIRT) on Maunakea.  The UKIRT is one of the world’s leading astronomical infrared observatories. 

UH President David Lassner said, “We are pleased to steward the UKIRT, a telescope that has made remarkable discoveries supporting the advancement of astronomical science.  It is fitting to add it to our world-class portfolio of research assets, as the UKIRT has pioneered many operational innovations, including flexible scheduling and the provision of data reduction pipelines.”

The UKIRT has been operating at peak productivity, with more than 200 scientific publications annually. This is largely based on a very successful scientific program, which has extended infrared survey imaging to unprecedented depths and areas. Despite the UKIRT’s success, its funding agency, the Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC), announced in 2012 that it could no longer continue to support the telescope.  This decision followed a review of the UK’s suite of observational capabilities in a tightly constrained financial environment.

Upon the cessation of UK-funded operations, the existing sublease for the UKIRT will be terminated.  The facility and responsibility for the site, including the telescope, all instruments, associated equipment and software, will transfer to the University of Hawai‘i.

UH has negotiated a Scientific Cooperation Agreement with the University of Arizona and Lockheed Martin Space Technology Advanced Research and Development Laboratories to provide for the UKIRT’s continued scientific operation, initially using only the large infrared camera used for the survey work.  The new operators have also started to refurbish and re-commission several of the UKIRT's other instruments.  Guenther Hasinger, Director of the UH Institute for Astronomy said, "We are delighted that the UKIRT will continue to produce top quality astronomical research.  With a capable new operator and state-of-the-art instrumentation, UKIRT can continue to be a world leader in infrared astronomy for at least 10 more years."

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ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘I

The University of Hawai‘i (UH) was established in 1907 and its campuses are all fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The UH System now comprises all public higher education in the State and provides a rich array of associate, baccalaureate, graduate, and professional degrees and certificates to about 60,000 students through seven community colleges, two baccalaureate campuses and a major research university that holds land-, space- and sea-grant designations. For more information, visit www.hawaii.edu.