Cambridge Encyclopedia :: Cambridge Encyclopedia Vol. 80

William Herschel Telescope

The world's third largest single-mirror telescope when completed in 1987, mounted on La Palma, Canary Is. It is a general purpose telescope to allow a wide range of astronomical observations.


William Herschel Telescope
Organization Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes
Location Roque de los Muchachos Observatory, La Palma, Canary Islands
Wavelength regime Optical
Completion date June 1st, 1987
Webpage WHT Homepage
Physical characteristics
Telescope style Cassegrain-Nasmyth Reflector
Diameter 4.2m
Collecting area 13.8m2
Mounting Alt-azimuth


The William Herschel Telescope or WHT was first conceived in the late 1960s, when the Anglo-Australian Observatory was being designed.

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