{"id":1431,"date":"2016-01-04T09:23:49","date_gmt":"2016-01-04T16:23:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hesarizona.org\/williams-charter-school\/?p=1431"},"modified":"2017-03-30T10:43:20","modified_gmt":"2017-03-30T17:43:20","slug":"scientific-flagship-in-happy-jack","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hesarizona.org\/williams-charter-school\/scientific-flagship-in-happy-jack\/","title":{"rendered":"Scientific Flagship in Happy Jack"},"content":{"rendered":"

Scientists waited more than a decade for the science missions of the Discovery Channel Telescope to begin. This instrument is one of the most sophisticated telescopes in the world and the 5th<\/sup> largest optical telescope in the country. Its placement in the Coconino National Forest at a dark sky site located in Happy Jack means the telescope is situated in one of the darkest and, therefore, best places from which to view the night sky. This privately funded telescope will supplement the ability of Lowell Observatory to continue pioneering work in astronomy. DCT is expected to obtain high-quality data more than 300 nights a year because of Arizona\u2019s climate and clear skies.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

DCT\u2019s Background<\/h2>\n

This project of Lowell Observatory and Discovery Communications cost more than $53 million. The telescope holds research partnerships with Boston University, the University of Maryland, the University of Toledo, and Northern Arizona University. Some of the current research projects include:<\/p>\n