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The Caltech Submillimeter Observatory (CSO) is a cutting-edge facility for astronomical research and instrumentation development. It is simultaneously one of the world's premier submillimeter telescopes and one of the easiest to use. It may also have the distinction of being the world's only professional observatory without an operator. The astronomer is given full control of the telescope during observing. The CSO is located on "submillimeter ridge" near the summit of Mauna Kea, Hawai'i. The CSO consists of a 10.4-meter diameter Leighton dish, a hexagonally-segmented design similar to, but predating, that of the Keck Observatories. The dish is protected from the sun by a compact dome which houses the control room, instumentation rooms, and observers' lounge. The telescope is operated by Caltech under a contract from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and has been operating on a regular basis since 1988.

For more information visit the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory website.

Image Credit: CFO by G. Brad Lewis, Science Photo Gallery