United Kingdom Infra-Red Telescope

The United Kingdom Infra-Red Telescope (UKIRT) is a 3.8 metre (150 inch) infrared reflecting telescope, the second largest dedicated infrared telescope in the world. It is located on Mauna Kea, Hawaii. originally operated by the Joint Astronomy Centre in Hilo and owned by the United Kingdom Science and Technology Facilities Council, UKIRT is currently being funded by NASA. It is operated under scientific cooperation between Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Center, the University of Hawaii, and the U. S. Naval Observatory. The telescope is set to be decommissioned after completion of the Thirty Meter Telescope as part of the Mauna Kea Comprehensive Management Plan.