The Discovery Channel Telescope: a wide-field telescope in Northern Arizona

Lowell Observatory has initiated the development of a four meter class optical telescope with significant capabilities for solar system and broad spectrum astronomical research. Key to the Discovery Channel Telescope (DCT) is the ability to rapidly switch between 2 degree FOV imaging via a prime focus camera to 30 arc min FOV instrumentation at Ritchey-Chretien (RC) focus. The telescope is to be constructed at approximately 7700 feet altitude, Southeast of Flagstaff, Arizona at a site which has exhibited 0.6 arc sec best quartile seeing. The telescope will feature active optics and alignment capability and the Prime Focus Instrument will feature a Mosaic Focal Plane array of 40 2k x 4k CCDs. The RC instrument payload will be approximately 5000 lbs, allowing either large instruments or suites of co-mounted instruments. This telescope is being developed in partnership with Discovery Communications, Inc. (DCI), who will utilize the DCT and the association with Lowell Observatory to develop educational programming about astronomy and technology. The telescope will be a substantial enhancement to the current capabilities of Lowell Observatory.