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The SOAR Telescope

The SOAR Telescope. MSU’s Laboratory for Astronomical Discovery. An International Partnership. National Optical Astronomy Observatory. Brazil. Cerro Pach ó n, Chile. $32M construction 11 20 yrs operation $43M MSU: $6M, 14% share, 40 nights/yr. An International Partnership.

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The SOAR Telescope

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  1. The SOAR Telescope MSU’s Laboratory for Astronomical Discovery

  2. An International Partnership National Optical Astronomy Observatory Brazil Cerro Pachón, Chile

  3. $32M construction 11 20 yrs operation $43M MSU: $6M, 14% share, 40 nights/yr An International Partnership National Optical Astronomy Observatory Brazil Cerro Pachón, Chile

  4. The Site: Cerro Pachón

  5. The Site: Cerro Pachón

  6. Cerro Pachón, Chile. • 9000’ altitude. • In Andes Mountains. The Site: Cerro Pachón

  7. 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

  8. Inside the dome… A big telescope Some small people

  9. 3-mirror optical path M2 M3 Fast tip-tilt Instrument (analyzes light) M1 Primary Mirror

  10. 3-mirror optical path M2 M3 Fast tip-tilt Instrument (analyzes light) M1 Primary Mirror

  11. 3-mirror optical path M2 M3 Fast tip-tilt Instrument (analyzes light) M1 Primary Mirror

  12. 3-mirror optical path M2 M3 Fast tip-tilt Instrument (analyzes light) M1 Primary Mirror

  13. 3-mirror optical path M2 M3 Fast tip-tilt Instrument (analyzes light) M1 Primary Mirror

  14. 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

  15. Many different instruments available. Analyze light in different ways Infrared Imager Optical Imager Infrared Spectrograph Optical Spectrograph Optical IFU Spectrograph

  16. Many different instruments available. Analyze light in different ways Infrared Imager Optical Imager Infrared Spectrograph Optical Spectrograph Optical IFU Spectrograph

  17. The Spartan Infrared Camera • Built in MSU’s astronomical instrumentation lab. • 40962 pixel detector array. • Highest possible angular resolution. • Wide field of view.

  18. Why build a 4-meter diameter ground-based telescope?

  19. Why build a 4-meter diameter ground-based telescope? The Electromagnetic Spectrum and Absorption by the Earth’s Atmosphere: Wavelength of light

  20. Why build a 4-meter diameter ground-based telescope? The Electromagnetic Spectrum and Absorption by the Earth’s Atmosphere: Wavelength of light Light from outer space cannot penetrate below this altitude.

  21. Why build a 4-meter diameter ground-based telescope? The Electromagnetic Spectrum and Absorption by the Earth’s Atmosphere: Wavelength of light Light from outer space cannot 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

  22. Why build a 4-meter diameter ground-based telescope? Wavelength of light

  23. Why build a 4-meter diameter ground-based telescope? Ground-based optical-IR telescopes complement space observatories: Wavelength of light

  24. Why build a 4-meter diameter ground-based telescope? Ground-based optical-IR telescopes complement space observatories: We use ground-based telescopes at these wavelengths. Wavelength of light

  25. Why build a 4-meter diameter ground-based telescope? Ground-based optical-IR telescopes complement space observatories: We use ground-based telescopes at these wavelengths. • SOAR’s infrared images as sharp as Hubble’s! Wavelength of light

  26. Why build a 4-meter diameter ground-based telescope? Ground-based optical-IR telescopes complement space observatories: We use ground-based telescopes at these wavelengths. • SOAR’s infrared images as sharp as Hubble’s! • Much less expensive than telescope in space! Wavelength of light

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