OBSERVATORY
See a "Live" solar image from our observatory:
7-31-08 from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
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CSM Clear Sky Clock
20" RC Telescope
Our 20" carbon truss Ritchey-Chretien telescope from RC Optical Systems now produces images of the night sky. The RC sits atop a Paramount ME equatorial mount, using "T-Point" software for accurate goto operations.
Attached to the RC, is an SBIG STL-6303E CCD camera which, operating with various software, will image globular clusters, nebulae, distant galaxies, and measure stellar magnitudes. |
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140mm TEC Refractor
Students and visitors alike enjoy superb views through our refractor. The TEC 3-element apochromatic refractor yields the best lunar and planetary views in the observatory. Visitors to "Jazz Under The Stars" see stellar close-ups of lunar craters and mountains.
A 500mm Borg refractor rides "piggyback" on the TEC for taking both video, and still images of the sun and moon.
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The Observatory
Our observatory is of the roll-off roof design. Therefore, it does not look like the typical domed observatory. An advantage of this design, is that more telescopes can be used simultaneously. In addition, the observatory can quickly reach thermal equilibrium. This results in steadier views through our telescopes.
Here is a partial list of additional equipment:
2- Meade 8" SCT
1- 8" Celestron Orange SCT 1- Meade 10" SCT
1- 4" Unitron refractor 1- 14" Celestron SCT ( SMCAS scope)
1- 12" Astrola Newtonian reflector
6 - 8" Orion XT Intelliscope dobsonian
1- 10" Orion XT Intelliscope dob. 1- 4" Clark refractor built in 1876
The dobs are used in the ASTR 103 observational lab, as well as for public star parties. The Meade 8" SCT is used primarily for the SGS, and the TEC refractor for imaging. The only scopes not actively used are the Clark and Unitron refractors (the latter needs some updated equipment while the former is our museum piece).
Other equipment:
3 Pier-Tech 3 piers
2 HGM Titan mounts with the Gemini GOTO system
2 SBIG ST-7E CCD cameras with RGB filters
1 SBIG SGS spectrometer
1 Losmandy G-11 mount with Gemini L4
Here are some pictures of our new observatory. You will see new images added from time to time.
North towards San Francisco |
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Some of our scopes |
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TEC 140 APO
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