Mount Graham International Observatory

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Telescopes
Mount Graham International Observatory
The Large Binocular Telescope is the largest telescope of Mount Graham International Observatory.
Organization:	Steward Observatory
Location:	Mount Graham, Arizona
Coordinates:	32°42′04.69″N, 109°53′31.25″W
Altitude:	3191m
Website:	http://mgpc3.as.arizona.edu/
Large Binocular Telescope:	optical binocular- two 8.4m mirrors
Heinrich Hertz Submillimeter Telescope:	10m radio dish
Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope:	1.8m primary on an alt-az mount

Mount Graham International Observatory (MGIO) is a division of the Steward Observatory and is primarily maintained by the University of Arizona. It is located on Mount Graham in Arizona's Pinaleno Mountains.

Construction of the observatories was enabled by a rider on an appropriations bill in 1998 that exempted the MGIO from the Endangered Species Act. There has been controversy over the site by Native Americans, who consider the site to be sacred, and by environmentalists who worry that construction at the site will adversely affect the population of endangered Mount Graham Red Squirrel as well as numerous other endemic species. The University of Arizona has seen protests in opposition to the project. The only significant Telescope on the mountain (the Large Binocular Telescope) is still not operational after decades. Many Universities and other entities have dropped out of the project due to bad management and pressure from opponents.