The McMath Solar Telescope

The world’s largest solar telescope, located at the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona, has been named in memory of the late Robert R. McMath, in recognition of his many years of devoted service to solar astronomy. Dr. McMath, who died in January of this year, served as director of the McMath‐Hulbert Observatory, as professor of astronomy at the University of Michigan, and as board chairman of the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., which operates the new national observatory for the National Science Foundation. He was a leading advocate of the belief that the research needs of the United States demanded the construction of a large solar telescope, and he and Ira S. Bowen, director of the Mt. Wilson and Palomar Observatories, are credited with having been instrumental in bringing those needs to the attention of the National Science Foundation.