The Magellan II telescope after the secondary end ring assembly was installed on the telescope. This concludes the main structural assembly of the telescope with the exception of the installation of the primary mirror and cell counterweight

The Magellan Project is a collaborative project, with the University of Arizona, MIT, Harvard, and the University of Michigan, to build two 6.5-meter telescopes at Carnegie's observing station in Las Campanas, Chile. The first of the two telescope structures (pictured) has been completed, and the mount was shipped to Las Campanas in 1998. The Magellan I mirror, meanwhile, was polished at the University of Arizona's Mirror Lab, where it was cast. Delivery took place in 1999. First light for Magellan I was expected at the end of the year. Magellan II will see first light in a few years. Its mirror was cast in September 1998.

More information about the Magellan project is available from the Observatories.