Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope
The Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST) is a scientific facility for studies of the Sun at Haleakala Observatory on the Hawaiian island of Maui. Known as the Advanced Technology Solar Telescope (ATST) until 2013, it was named after Daniel K. Inouye, a US Senator for Hawaii. It is the world's largest solar telescope, with a 4-meter aperture. The DKIST is funded by National Science Foundation and managed by the National Solar Observatory. The total project cost is $344.13 million. It is a collaboration of numerous research institutions. Some test images were released in January 2020. The end of construction and transition into scientific observations was announced in November 2021.
Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope on the left hand side | |
| Alternative names | DKIST |
|---|---|
| Named after | Daniel Inouye |
| Part of | Haleakalā Observatory |
| Location(s) | Haleakalā Observatory, Haleakalā, Maui County, Hawaii |
| Coordinates | 20°42′17″N 156°10′36″W |
| Organization | National Solar Observatory |
| Altitude | 3,084 m (10,118 ft) |
| Wavelength | 380 nm (790 THz)–5,000 nm (60 THz) |
| First light | December 2019 |
| Telescope style | Gregorian telescope optical telescope solar telescope |
| Diameter | 4.24 m (13 ft 11 in) |
| Secondary diameter | 0.65 m (2 ft 2 in) |
| Illuminated diameter | 4 m (13 ft 1 in) |
| Collecting area | 12.5 m2 (135 sq ft) |
| Mounting | altazimuth mount |
| Website | www |
Location of Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope | |
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The DKIST can observe the Sun in visible to near-infrared wavelengths and has a 4.24-meter primary mirror in an off-axis Gregorian configuration that provides a 4-meter clear, unobstructed aperture. Adaptive optics correct for atmospheric distortions and blurring of the solar image, which enables high-resolution observations of features on the Sun as small as 20 km (12 mi). The off-axis, clear aperture design avoids a central obstruction, minimizing scattered light. It also eases operation of adaptive optics and digital image reconstruction such as speckle imaging.
The site on the Haleakalā volcano was selected for its clear daytime weather and favourable atmospheric seeing conditions.
It commenced its first science observations on February 23, 2022, signaling the start of its year-long operations commissioning phase.