Canada-France-Hawaii telescope. Time-exposure image of the dome of the Canada-France-Hawaii telescope (CFHT) at night, with car light trails seen around its base. Circular star trails are seen in the sky. The CFHT is a reflector telescope that focuses light using a mirror with a diameter of 3.6 metres. The dome housing the telescope has a diameter of 33.5 metres. The telescope was built by Canada and France and became operational in 1979. Observation time and operating costs are shared jointly by Canada, France and the University of Hawaii. The CFHT is located at 4200 metres altitude on the dormant volcano Mauna Kea in Hawaii, USA.