LBTO Science Operations
Welcome to the Science Operations Web Pages for the Large Binocular Telescope Observatory (LBTO), an international collaboration among institutions in the United States and Italy. LBT Corporation Members are: The University of Arizona on behalf of the Arizona university system; Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica, Italy; The Ohio State University, and The Research Corporation, on behalf of The University of Notre Dame, University of Minnesota and University of Virginia.
Large Binocular Telescope – Image complements of Ryan Ketterer
Located on the summit of Mt. Graham, LBTO aspires to be the first of the ELTs and one of the leading 8-m class telescopes. Comprised of privately funded or national institutes and consortiums of universities, the goal of LBTO and its partners is to ensure that its community of users are receiving the highest-quality astronomical data.
On these pages you will find the information needed to prepare for observations or writing proposals and details about the instruments available.
Additional details about the Mt. Graham International Observatory (MGIO) site can be found on the MGIO web pages. Additional technical details about the mechanics and optics of the Large Binocular Telescope can be found on the main LBTO website.
About the Telescope, Support Staff, and the Instruments
View of the SX (Left side of the telescope) taken closed dome by S Allanson, LBTO
The About and Instrument sections provide the users a plethora of information about the science capabilities available at the LBT, and information about the Support resources available. Detailed information is included for our Facility and PI instruments, both capabilities and use.
About Proposal Submission and Script Preparation
Cat’s Eye Nebula with SOUL LUCI1 AO in Ks H2 FeII – B.Rothberg, LBTO
In addition to the About LBTO and Instrument Pages, LBTO has developed a Phase I Tool (PIT) for Proposal Submission which is used by a number of our partners. LBTO Observing Tool (OT) is a tool that allows users to create complex and detailed observing scripts for our facility instruments. This tool allows users to visualize their science script generation.
About observing at our Facility, Obtaining your Data, and Data Dissemination
LBTO Facility – Image compliments of J. Crass, Notre Dame
Whether observing remotely, onsite, or in queue, there are a number of useful tools and links to help prepare for observing runs, monitor the site and weather, etc under Observing with the LBT. Data is accessed in real time through our data archive. Pipelines are in development by various institutions and instrument PI’s.
LBTO Instrument News
PEPSI PFU SX Offline Due to Vignetting
September 14, 2026: During summer shutdown 2026 restart, it was discovered that the PEPSI SX PFU side was suffering from severe vignetting despite attempts to realign with the M3 on-sky. The cause was tracked down to index-matching oil in between …
... Read MoreRestart 2026
Overview of SSD26 Telescope Activities
The SX and DX primary and tertiary mirrors were washed during SSD26.
The observing computers were upgraded to AlmaLinux 9. This upgrade introduces new procedures for remote desktop access. Users should refer to the Remote …
TMS Installation Delayed
Due to last minute staffing commitments, the TMS system will not be available until approximately late September. However the LBCs can still be used although more frequent re-collimations will be necessary.
... Read More| Status | Instrument | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 🟢 | LBC BLUE | Available in shared-risk pending focal plane tilt checks. TMS restart is in progress. |
| 🟢 | LBC RED | Available in shared-risk pending focal plane tilt checks. TMS restart is in progress. |
| 🟢 | LUCI1 | LUCI has been released for science. ESM released for science. Full AO is released for science. |
| 🟢 | LUCI2 | LUCI has been released for science. ESM released for science. Full AO is pending completion of NCPA LUT data collection and implementation. |
| 🟢 | MODS1 | MODS1 is released for science. Note that both MODS underwent controller upgrades in 2025. |
| 🟢 | MODS2 | MODS2 is released for science in shared-risk. One mask insert error, which required on-site assistance, occurred during restart, but it could not be reproduced in daytime tests. |
| 🟠 | PEPSI PFU | SX PFU is offline, DX PFU is released for science. SX PFU has a critical issue with with an oil leak in the optical train, causing severe vignetting in the wavefront sensor. Chamber pressure control issue has a temporary fix in place. |
| 🔴 | PEPSI POL | Planned install Dec1 2026. |
| 🔴 | LBTI | Unavailable, Installation expected in October |
| 🟠 | SHARK NIR | Scheduled for install 2026/09/02 |
| 🟠 | SHARK VIS | Team on site for filter and dichroic installation and recommissioning activities |
