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Large Millimeter Telescope

Large dish is on top of a mountain with clouds at the same level.
Large Millimeter Telescope
Credit: Instituto Nacional de Astrofisica, Optica and Electronica (INAOE)

Telescope Details

Website

Location

Sierra Negra, Mexico

Purpose

TolTEC will study the universe on nearly all scales, from large-scale structure of matter in the early universe to individual cores of star formation. 

NIST’s role

Led development of the TolTEC camera, which offers high sensitivity and mapping speeds in three colors. The use of multiple colors helps distinguish real signals from interfering noise. 

Significant discoveries

TolTEC installation was delayed due to the pandemic, but pieces are now being sent to the site. 

Other interesting facts

TolTEC is projected to offer 100 times the mapping speed of its predecessor camera. The telescope is situated on a mountain peak at an elevation of 4,572 meters (15,000 feet), providing excellent observing conditions.

Supported by

National Science Foundation

Developed by

A collaboration of seven institutions in three countries: NIST, Arizona State University, Northwestern University, University of Michigan, Cardiff University, the Instituto Nacional de Astrofísica, and Óptica y Electrónica

Operated by

Instituto Nacional de Astrofísica, Óptica y Electrónica and University of Massachusetts at Amherst

Media

Gold-colored device has circular opening and attachments on one side.
4,000-channel array of NIST’s kinetic inductance detectors (KIDs) 
Credit: NIST
Created September 30, 2021, Updated June 17, 2025
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