Mount Laguna Observatory
Encyclopedia
The Mount Laguna Observatory or MLO is an astronomical
observatory
operated by the Astronomy Department
of San Diego State University (SDSU)
. It is located approximately 45 miles (72.4 km) east of downtown San Diego on the eastern edge of the Cleveland National Forest
, and is named after the Laguna Mountains
.
's Department of Astronomy became an independent academic department of SDSU's College of Sciences. The dedication took place during the 1968 summer meeting of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
.
and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
.
.
, Composite Mirror Applications out of Tucson, Arizona
, and Dartmouth College
is currently looking to replace the 16 inches (406.4 mm) telescope with another 40 inches (1 m) telescope using carbon composite technology in a project known as ULTRA.
A 100 inches (2.5 m) Large Robotic Telescope is also being planned.
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
observatory
Observatory
An observatory is a location used for observing terrestrial or celestial events. Astronomy, climatology/meteorology, geology, oceanography and volcanology are examples of disciplines for which observatories have been constructed...
operated by the Astronomy Department
San Diego State University College of Sciences
The San Diego State University College of Sciences is the San Diego region's largest center for science education and research. Comprising eight departments and various specialties, the College offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees, as well as curricula for pre-professional students in...
of San Diego State University (SDSU)
San Diego State University
San Diego State University , founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, is the largest and oldest higher education facility in the greater San Diego area , and is part of the California State University system...
. It is located approximately 45 miles (72.4 km) east of downtown San Diego on the eastern edge of the Cleveland National Forest
Cleveland National Forest
Cleveland National Forest encompasses 460,000 acres , mostly of chaparral, with a few riparian areas. A warm dry mediterranean climate prevails over the Forest. It is the southernmost National forest of California. It is administered by the United States Forest Service, a government agency within...
, and is named after the Laguna Mountains
Laguna Mountains
The Laguna Mountains are a section of the Peninsular Ranges in eastern San Diego County, California. The mountains run in a northwest/southeast alignment for approximately ....
.
 | |
| Organization | San Diego State University San Diego State University San Diego State University , founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, is the largest and oldest higher education facility in the greater San Diego area , and is part of the California State University system... |
|---|---|
| Location | San Diego, California California California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area... |
| Coordinates | 32.8424°N 116.4280°W |
| Altitude | 1859 metres (6,099.1 ft) |
| Webpage | MLO at SDSU |
| Telescopes | |
| ULTRA telescope Telescope A telescope is an instrument that aids in the observation of remote objects by collecting electromagnetic radiation . The first known practical telescopes were invented in the Netherlands at the beginning of the 1600s , using glass lenses... | 40 inches (1,016 mm) reflector |
| Buller telescope | 21 inches (533 mm) reflector |
| Smith telescope | 24 inches (610 mm) reflector |
| "Illinois" telescope Telescope A telescope is an instrument that aids in the observation of remote objects by collecting electromagnetic radiation . The first known practical telescopes were invented in the Netherlands at the beginning of the 1600s , using glass lenses... | 40 inches (1,016 mm) reflector |
| Large Robotic telescope (proposed) | 100 inches (2,540 mm) reflector |
History
The MLO was dedicated on June 19, 1968, seven years after SDSUSan Diego State University
San Diego State University , founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, is the largest and oldest higher education facility in the greater San Diego area , and is part of the California State University system...
's Department of Astronomy became an independent academic department of SDSU's College of Sciences. The dedication took place during the 1968 summer meeting of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Astronomical Society of the Pacific
The Astronomical Society of the Pacific is a scientific and educational organization, founded in San Francisco on February 7, 1889. Its name derives from its origins on the Pacific Coast, but today it has members all over the country and the world...
.
Current Research Projects
The observatory has four telescopes which are used by the students and faculty of both SDSUSan Diego State University
San Diego State University , founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, is the largest and oldest higher education facility in the greater San Diego area , and is part of the California State University system...
and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
.
HPWREN
Data is transferred back from the MLO via the High Performance Research and Education Network (HPWREN)High Performance Wireless Research and Education Network
The High Performance Wireless Research and Education Network is a network research program, funded by the National Science Foundation. The program includes the creation, demonstration, and evaluation of a non-commercial, prototype, high-performance, wide-area, wireless network in its Southern...
.
Equipment
ULTRA telescope (Test bed for special Lightweight Mirrors) Buller telescope Smith telescope "Illinois" telescope Large robotic telescope (proposed)Future Equipment and Research Projects
A collaboration between the University of KansasUniversity of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
, Composite Mirror Applications out of Tucson, Arizona
Tucson, Arizona
Tucson is a city in and the county seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States. The city is located 118 miles southeast of Phoenix and 60 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. The 2010 United States Census puts the city's population at 520,116 with a metropolitan area population at 1,020,200...
, and Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College is a private, Ivy League university in Hanover, New Hampshire, United States. The institution comprises a liberal arts college, Dartmouth Medical School, Thayer School of Engineering, and the Tuck School of Business, as well as 19 graduate programs in the arts and sciences...
is currently looking to replace the 16 inches (406.4 mm) telescope with another 40 inches (1 m) telescope using carbon composite technology in a project known as ULTRA.
A 100 inches (2.5 m) Large Robotic Telescope is also being planned.