Arcs and Angles at Kitt Peak (Close-up)

This image captures the contrast of the beautiful curve of the Milky Way with the geometric architecture of NSF's recently retired McMath-Pierce Solar Telescope at Kitt Peak near Tucson, Arizona. The McMath Telescope is part of the U.S. National Science Foundation Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO), a Program of NSF NOIRLab, and will reopen to the public as the new Windows on the Universe Center for Astronomical Outreach in late 2025.

A wide-shot of this image was featured as an Image of the Week. You can also find this image in a 360 degree panorama and fulldome format.

This photo was taken as part of the NOIRLab 2022 Photo Expedition to all the NOIRLab sites. Petr Horálek, the photographer, is a NOIRLab Audiovisual Ambassador.