{"id":218035,"date":"2025-06-27T09:27:29","date_gmt":"2025-06-27T19:27:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=218035"},"modified":"2025-07-01T08:33:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-01T18:33:09","slug":"uh-to-decommission-3rd-maunakea-telescope","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2025\/06\/27\/uh-to-decommission-3rd-maunakea-telescope\/","title":{"rendered":"UH<\/abbr> to decommission 3rd Maunakea telescope"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
\"telescope
UKIRT<\/abbr> on Maunakea<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Institute for Astronomy (IfA<\/abbr>) is officially initiating the decommissioning process for the <\/abbr>UH<\/abbr>-owned UKIRT<\/abbr> telescope on Maunakea, formerly known as the United Kingdom Infrared Telescope. This marks another important milestone in UH<\/abbr>\u2019s long-term commitment to responsible stewardship of the mauna.<\/p>\n

UKIRT<\/abbr> will be the third Maunakea observatory to be decommissioned under UH<\/abbr>\u2019s Maunakea Comprehensive Management Plan, following Caltech Submillimeter Observatory (CSO<\/abbr>) and UH<\/abbr> Hilo H\u014dk\u016b Keʻa<\/span> Observatory, both completed in 2024.<\/p>\n

“I am glad to see us making progress on our commitment to decommission another facility on the mauna,” said UH<\/abbr> Hilo Chancellor Bonnie D. Irwin. “Just as importantly, we do this work with the full awareness of the cultural and environmental significance of this place.”<\/p>\n

The UKIRT<\/abbr> decommissioning will be done in close coordination with UH<\/abbr> Hilo Center for Maunakea Stewardship<\/a> (CMS<\/abbr>). As with the CSO<\/abbr> and H\u014dk\u016b Keʻa<\/span> projects, CMS<\/abbr> will consult with the Maunakea Stewardship and Oversight Authority<\/a> and engage the Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Island community throughout the process.<\/p>\n

“This is a deeply meaningful process for UH<\/abbr> and the broader community,” said Greg Chun, executive director of CMS<\/abbr>. “Decommissioning is more than physical removal, it\u2019s about honoring our commitments, restoring the ʻ\u0101ina (land), and engaging with cultural and community voices every step of the way.”<\/p>\n

The process will begin with the submission of a Notice of Intent to decommission followed by a request for proposals. The selected company will be required to coordinate closely with CMS<\/abbr> and follow the Decommissioning Plan for the Maunakea Observatories<\/a>. On-site work to remove the telescope will begin once the planning, permitting and consultation processes are complete.<\/p>\n

The CSO<\/abbr> and H\u014dk\u016b Keʻa<\/span> decommissionings set a precedent for enhancing the cultural sensitivity of those working on large construction projects on the mauna. Crews underwent cultural training, and Native Hawaiian protocol was carefully integrated into each stage of the process, from deconstruction to restoration.<\/p>\n

“Earlier this year, I had the privilege of visiting the mauna and witnessing the outstanding work CMS<\/abbr> has done to successfully oversee the decommissioning of the first two observatories,” said UH<\/abbr> President Wendy Hensel. “What strikes me most is the CMS<\/abbr> team\u2019s deep sense of responsibility to carrying out UH<\/abbr>\u2019s commitments and ensuring this process is conducted responsibly, with great care and respect for this special place.”<\/p>\n

UKIRT<\/abbr>\u2019s storied history<\/h2>\n
\"telescope
UKIRT<\/abbr> helped establish Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> as a global center for astronomical research<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The UKIRT<\/abbr> Observatory began operations in 1979 and was originally built and operated by the United Kingdom\u2019s science agencies. Over the decades, it has contributed to significant scientific advancements and helped establish Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> as a global center for astronomical research. UKIRT<\/abbr> is especially known for extending infrared survey imaging to unprecedented depths and coverage.<\/p>\n

In 2014, ownership of the observatory was transferred to IfA<\/abbr><\/abbr><\/a> after the UK<\/abbr> ended its funding for the facility. In recent years, the U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO<\/abbr>) became the principal sponsor of UKIRT<\/abbr> operations, enabling an all-sky infrared survey that has supported a wide range of astrophysical research and enhanced the Celestial Reference Frame, a critical system used for global positional measurements, including GPS<\/abbr>.<\/p>\n

“It was decided that the decommissioning process would begin once the all-sky survey is complete,” said Doug Simons, director at IfA<\/abbr>. “I am deeply grateful for the <\/abbr>USNO<\/abbr>\u2019s support in recent years. Right up to the end, UKIRT<\/abbr> remained highly productive and will leave a lasting scientific legacy.”<\/p>\n

UKIRT<\/abbr> will continue its scientific work during the initial stages of the decommissioning process, including the required environment studies, permits, and community consultations needed before site work can begin.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

UKIRT<\/abbr> will be the third Maunakea observatory to be decommissioned under UH<\/abbr>\u2019s Maunakea Comprehensive Management Plan.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1193],"tags":[34,1511,35,659,1421,14,9,947],"class_list":["post-218035","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-administrative","tag-astronomy","tag-center-for-maunakea-stewardship","tag-institute-for-astronomy","tag-maunakea","tag-maunakea-observatories","tag-uh-hilo","tag-uh-manoa","tag-uh-system","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t