Astronomical observatories

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ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORIES

HUNTER LATOURETTE

PATHFINDER 301

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WHY HAWAI’I?

The summits of Hawaii are ideal because of what isn’t there:

- Light pollution

- Dust

- Clouds (adiabatic lapse rates)

Almost equatorial position

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OBSERVATORIESThere are multiple observatories located across the state, primarily:

- Mauna Kea Observatories

- Haleakala Observatory

- KEASA Observatory

- Lanihulu Observatory

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KEASA

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KEASA AND LANIHULU OBSERVATORIESKEASA:

“The observatory is a joint venture between the Kauai Educational Association for Science and Astronomy and Kauai Community College (KCC).”

Lanihulu

Optical and Radio Observatory

Windward Community College

Radio Jove Project

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Haleakala

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HALEAKALAFounded in 1961

Owned by The Institute for Astronomy (University of Hawai’i):

- Air Force Research Laboratory

- Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network

Facilities:

Air Force Maui Optical Station

Faulkes Telescope

LURE Observatory

Maui Space Surveillance System

Mees Solar Observatory

Solar-C Scatter-Free Observatory

Pan-STARRS

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FAULKES TELESCOPE NORTH

Sister telescope of Faulkes Telescope South

- Owned and operated by Las Cumbres

Provides remote access and observing time to UK schools for educational projects

2m f/10 Ritchey-Chretien telescope

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AIR FORCE MAUI OPTICAL STATION

Air Force Research Laboratory

- research and development mission on the

Maui Space Surveillance System (MSSS)

Multiple telescopes and systems utilized

- provides state of the art satellite track tracking

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Mauna Kea

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MAUNA KEA OBSERVATORIES500 acre area, the “Astronomy Precinct”

- Established in 1967- 4205 m Elevation

Owned by the University of Hawai’I and leased to multi-national groups

- 2 billion in investments

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FACILITIES

Facilities (wide variety of telescopes of organizations):

- Caltech Submillimeter Observatory

- Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope

- Gemini Observatory

- James Clerk Maxwell Submillimeter Telescope

- Keck Observatory

- NASA IR Telescope

- Smithsonian and Taiiwan Submillimeter Array

- Subaru Telescope

- University of Hawaii 2.2 Meter Telescope

- United Kingdom IR Telescope

- Very Long Baseline Array

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CANADA-FRANCE-HAWAII TELESCOPE

Current uses:

- Surveying Andromeda Galaxy (M31)

- Surveying Triangulum Galaxy (M33)

In operation since 1979

- Observing time offered to Canadian, French, and Hawaiian scientists

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SUBARU AND GEMINI

Subaru

- National Astronomical Observatory of Japan

- Primary Mirror

Gemini

- Twin telescopes

- Extensive coverage

- Largest and most advanced optical/IR telescopes

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THIRTY METER TELESCOPE, FUTURE

Thirty Meter Telescope:

- Controversial surrounding proposed construction

- Damage to the ecosystem

- Mauna Kea sacred grounds

New Pan – STARRS location

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SACRED SITE

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ONIZUKA CENTER AND IMOLA ASTRONOMY CENTER

Onizuka Center:

Complex that supports the Mauna Kea Observatory

Mid-Level Visitors Building

Imola Astronomy Center:

Located in Hilo

Focus on Hawaiian culture, history, and astronomy and their overlaps

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BIBLIOGRAPHY• http://www.astropa.unipa.it/Telescopi_Ottici/Maunakea/west-17.jpg

• http://www.hawaiiforvisitors.com/attractions/observatories.htm

• http://lanihuli.wcc.hawaii.edu/Lanihuli1.htm

• https://sites.coloradocollege.edu/indigenoustraditions/sacred-lands/sacred-lands-mauna-kea/

• http://www.gemini.edu/gallery/main.php

• http://sacredsites.com/americas/united_states/hawaiian_sacred_mountains.html

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauna_Kea

• http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/haleakalanew/observatories.shtml

• http://lcogt.net/site/haleakala