Free Astronomy Magazine March-April 2026

MARCH-APRIL 2026 Sun, and learned about the historic importance of the McMath-Pierce Solar Telescope (MMP) and the achievements of NSF-funded astron- omy. The grand opening celebration continued with a ribbon-cutting cer- emony, followed by remarks by AURA President Matt Mountain, NSF NOIRLab Director Patrick McCarthy, as well as leaders from the Tohono O’odham Nation, on which Kitt Peak is located. Windows Center is the first science center located inside a telescope — the recently-retired Mc- Math-Pierce Solar Telescope, which has been retrofitted with interactive exhibits and educational programs focused on astronomy funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation. O n 16 December 2025, visitors celebrated the grand open- ing of the Windows on the Universe Center for Astronomy Out- reach (Windows Center), a new pub- lic science center at U.S. National Science Foundation Kitt Peak Na- tional Observatory, a Program of NSF NOIRLab. On opening day, the new Center was open to the public for free. Visitors explored interactive ex- hibits, viewed a Science On a Sphere show, witnessed live views of the New public science center opens at KPNO by NOIRLab Lars Lindberg Christensen Josie Fenske T he ribbon is cut! On 16 Decem- ber 2025, visitors celebrated the grand opening of the Windows on the Universe Center for Astronomy Outreach (Windows Center), a new public science center at U.S. Nation- al Science Foundation Kitt Peak Na- tional Observatory, a Program of NSF NOIRLab. [KPNO/NOIRLab/NSF/ AURA/R. Sparks] The majority of funding for the Win- dows Center comes from NSF, with the remaining part raised from pri- vate donations. “America’s contin- ued leadership in science and tech- nology depends on sparking curios- ity in kids,” says Chris Davis, NSF pro- gram director for NSF NOIRLab.