McMath-Pierce Telescope Structural Integrity Survey

NOIRLab plans to restore the historic McMath-Pierce Solar Telescope for public outreach, with the goal of projecting a live solar image into its former control room—now repurposed as a museum space.

Idle since 2017, the telescope requires structural inspection and repairs prior to restoration. A primary focus is the refurbishment of the rooftop heliostat, which presents safety hazards due to insufficient fall protection and access controls.

To support these efforts, M3 performed a structural assessment of the facility and provided recommendations to improve safety and ensure compliance with OSHA regulations and applicable building codes. M3’s evaluation forms a critical step in verifying the structural integrity of the facility and enabling safe restoration and future public access.