The SOAR Telescope MSU’s Laboratory for Astronomical Discovery.
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The SOAR Telescope U’s Laboratory for Astronomical Discov
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Transcript of The SOAR Telescope MSU’s Laboratory for Astronomical Discovery.
The SOAR Telescope
MSU’s Laboratory for Astronomical Discovery
An International Partnership
Cerro Pachón,Chile
Brazil
National Optical Astronomy
Observatory
An International Partnership
Cerro Pachón,Chile
Brazil
National Optical Astronomy
Observatory
$32M construction 11 20 yrs operation$43M
MSU: $6M, 14% share, 40 nights/yr
The Site: Cerro Pachón
The Site: Cerro Pachón
Cerro Pachón, Chile.
• 9000’ altitude.
• In Andes Mountains.
The Site: Cerro Pachón
Cerro Pachón, Chile.
• 9000’ altitude.
• In Andes Mountains.
• One of worlds’ best astronomical sites
• Dark skies
• Clear skies
• Very little air turbulence.
The Site: Cerro Pachón
InsideInside the dome…
A bigtelescope
Some small people
3-mirror optical path
M2
M3Fast tip-tilt
M1Primary Mirror
Instrument (analyzes light)
3-mirror optical path
M2
M3Fast tip-tilt
M1Primary Mirror
Instrument (analyzes light)
3-mirror optical path
M2
M3Fast tip-tilt
M1Primary Mirror
Instrument (analyzes light)
3-mirror optical path
M2
M3Fast tip-tilt
M1Primary Mirror
Instrument (analyzes light)
3-mirror optical path
M2
M3Fast tip-tilt
M1Primary Mirror
Instrument (analyzes light)
The Primary Mirror (being installed in its supporting cell)
Glass primary mirror: 14 feet in diameter x 4 inches thick
Mirror Cell: 120 computer-controlled
force actuators
Many different instruments available.
Analyze light in different ways
Optical Imager
Optical Spectrograph
Optical IFU Spectrograph
Infrared Spectrograph
Infrared Imager
Many different instruments available.
Analyze light in different ways
Optical Imager
Optical Spectrograph
Optical IFU Spectrograph
Infrared Spectrograph
Infrared Imager
The Spartan Infrared Camera
• Built in MSU’s astronomical instrumentation lab.
• 40962 pixel detector array.
• Highest possible angular resolution.
• Wide field of view.
Why build a 4-meter diameter ground-based telescope?
Wavelength of light
The Electromagnetic Spectrum and Absorption by the Earth’s Atmosphere:
Why build a 4-meter diameter ground-based telescope?
Wavelength of light
The Electromagnetic Spectrum and Absorption by the Earth’s Atmosphere:
Light from outer spacecannot penetrate below
this altitude.
Why build a 4-meter diameter ground-based telescope?
Wavelength of light
The Electromagnetic Spectrum and Absorption by the Earth’s Atmosphere:
Light from outer spacecannot penetrate below
this altitude.
Telescopes must be in space to observe at x-ray, ultra-violet, or far-infrared wavelengths:
• Chandra X-Ray satellite
• Hubble Space Telescope
• Spitzer Infrared satellite
Why build a 4-meter diameter ground-based telescope?
Wavelength of light
Why build a 4-meter diameter ground-based telescope?
Ground-based optical-IR telescopes complement space observatories:
Wavelength of light
Why build a 4-meter diameter ground-based telescope?
Ground-based optical-IR telescopes complement space observatories:
Wavelength of light
We use ground-based telescopes at these
wavelengths.
Why build a 4-meter diameter ground-based telescope?
Ground-based optical-IR telescopes complement space observatories:
Wavelength of light
We use ground-based telescopes at these
wavelengths.
Why build a 4-meter diameter ground-based telescope?
• SOAR’s infrared images as sharp as Hubble’s!
Ground-based optical-IR telescopes complement space observatories:
Wavelength of light
We use ground-based telescopes at these
wavelengths.
Why build a 4-meter diameter ground-based telescope?
• SOAR’s infrared images as sharp as Hubble’s!
• Much less expensive than telescope in space!
