Arcs and Angles at Kitt Peak (360 Degree Panorama)

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 find a close-up here and in the fulldome format here.

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.