Not only will the LBT increase our research capabilities, it will also enable us to attract more top faculty and graduate students. The telescope will make it possible for university researchers to conduct longer-term projects and to get more deeply involved in research topics such as the early history and the ultimate fate of the universe. Also, the university will be able to trade time on the LBT for time on several other telescopes that are part of the same research consortium, making it possible to collect more complete data. A representative of Hubbard Broadcasting said that one of the motivations for making the gift was to strengthen the department of astronomy. It is important that Minnesota be a leader in this field.
Astronomy is often an entry point for young people who are becoming interested in science.
The department of astronomy has 12 faculty members and 25 graduate students. The department teaches about 1,500 undergraduate students a year in introductory astronomy classes, which are some of the most popular classes for fulfilling undergraduate science requirements. The Large Binocular Telescope, revolutionary in its design and technological innovation, will be located near the summit of Mount Graham, in southeastern Arizona. Each of its mirrors is larger than any other in the world. It will be assembled in phases beginning in 2003 and completed in 2004.