Mount Lemmon Observatory facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Lemmon Observatory |
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_Mountlemmonobservatory.JPG)
View of the telescopes on Mount Lemmon
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| Organization | Steward Observatory | ||||||||||
| Location | Mount Lemmon, Arizona | ||||||||||
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Coordinates
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32°26′31″N 110°47′21″W / 32.4420°N 110.7893°W
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| Altitude | 2,791 meters (9,157 ft) | ||||||||||
| Established | 1970 | ||||||||||
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The Mount Lemmon Observatory (MLO) is a special place where scientists study space. It's also known as the Mount Lemmon Infrared Observatory. This observatory is located on Mount Lemmon in the Santa Catalina Mountains in Arizona, about 28 kilometers (17 miles) northeast of Tucson.
The observatory is in the Coronado National Forest. The University of Arizona's Steward Observatory uses this site with special permission. Many different telescopes are located here, each managed by different groups. They all work together to help us learn more about the universe.
Contents
What is the History of Mount Lemmon Observatory?
The Mount Lemmon Observatory site started differently. In 1954, it was a radar station for the Air Defense Command. It was called the Mount Lemmon Air Force Station.
In 1970, the site was given to the Steward Observatory. That's when it became an infrared observatory. For many years, until 2003, a radar tower here helped track rockets. These rockets were launched from places like the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.
What Telescopes are at Mount Lemmon Observatory?
The Mount Lemmon Observatory has several powerful telescopes. Each one helps astronomers explore space in different ways. Here are some of the main telescopes you can find there:
Steward Observatory Telescope
The Steward Observatory Telescope is 1.52 meters (60 inches) wide. It's a type of telescope called a Cassegrain reflector. This telescope is used for the Mount Lemmon Survey (MLS). The MLS is part of the Catalina Sky Survey (CSS).
This telescope was built in the late 1960s. It was first set up on Mount Bigelow. In 1972, it moved to Mount Lemmon. Its original mirror was replaced in 1977 with a better glass one. Students at Astronomy Camp also use this telescope. It even helped find an asteroid called 2011 AG5.
UMN-MLOF Telescope
The UMN-MLOF telescope is also 1.52 meters (60 inches) wide. UMN-MLOF stands for University of Minnesota Mount Lemmon Observing Facility. It started working in 1970. This telescope is good for seeing both visible light and near-infrared light.
Like the Steward telescope, its first mirror was replaced in 1974. The University of California, San Diego (UCSD) used to work with the University of Minnesota on this telescope.
Catalina Sky Survey (CSS) Telescope
The CSS reflecting telescope is 1.02 meters (40 inches) wide. It has a special design called Pressman-Camichel. This telescope is very important for finding new near-Earth objects. It can automatically follow up on these discoveries.
It was moved to MLO in 1975. In 2008, it was updated and placed in a new dome. Since 2009, it has been a key part of the Catalina Sky Survey.
KASI Robotic Telescope
The KASI robotic telescope is 1.0 meter (39 inches) wide. It was installed in 2003. This telescope is part of the Mt. Lemmon Optical Astronomy Observatory (LOAO). The Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) operates it.
Schulman Telescope
The Schulman Telescope is 0.81 meters (32 inches) wide. It is a Ritchey-Chrétien reflector. This telescope was installed in 2010. The Mount Lemmon SkyCenter operates it. It is Arizona's largest telescope made for the public to use.
The Schulman Telescope was built to be controlled remotely. People can use it over the internet from anywhere in the world. It is the biggest telescope in the world used for this purpose by both amateur and professional astrophotographers.
Other Telescopes
- A 0.7-meter (28-inch) reflecting telescope was moved to MLO in 1972. It was first installed in 1963.
- A 0.6-meter (24-inch) Ritchey-Chrétien reflector is also operated by the Mount Lemmon SkyCenter.
- The 0.5-meter (20-inch) John Jamieson Telescope was given to the University of Arizona in 1999. It was officially dedicated in 2005. This telescope is best for seeing near-infrared light. The Mount Lemmon SkyCenter also operates it.
See also
In Spanish: Observatorio del Monte Lemmon para niños
