The LBT

This is the Large Binocular Telescope on the top of Mount Graham, at an elevation of 10,700 feet.  It has two 8.4 meter diameter mirrors that work together.  Either of it's mirrors would be the second largest optical telescope in North America.  It is currently one of the world's most advanced optical telescopes.  It was astounding that our friend Dean arranged a visit here.  We arrived in the afternoon and got a wonderful tour of the facility by members of the technical staff.  Then we had dinner, and were down on the floor of the observatory as it began its night's work.  We had a chance to talk with the astronomers as well.  The building is 130 feet, but it is impossible to show you the enormous size of this instrument - photographs do not do it justice.  We stayed until about 11 PM, and then drove down the mountain road in the dark and arrived home four hours later. This was day one of our sleep deprivation.