A new observatory in Chile.

Abstract

view Abstract Citations References Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS A new observatory in Chile. Kuiper, Gerard P. ; Miczaika, G. R. Abstract The establishment of a new observatory in the vicinity of Santiago de Chile has become possible as a result of concurrent interests by the Universities of Chile, Chicago and Texas; and the Geophysics Research Directorate of the Air Force Cambridge Research Center. An agreement between the three Universities has been signed which covers the construction of the Observatory building and access road by the University of Chile; the initial staffing and operation of the Observatory by the Universities of Chicago and Texas, in close coordination with the McDonald Observatory; and a student- and faculty-exchange program between the Universities of Chile and Chicago. A contract between the Air Force Cambridge Research Center and the University of Chicago covers the erection of a 6o-inch reflector at the Chile observatory. The primary mirror will have an aperture ratio of f/5, but no arrangements will be made for use of the prime focus; this avoids the necessity of using a bridge and a fairly large dome. Instead, two Cassegrain foci will be used, one f/8 for photography and one f/I 3.5 for photoelectric and spectrographic work. A preliminary site survey was made in March 1959, and systematic site tests were begun in May to permit a final' decision between three or four sites selected. The design of the telescope is well under way; completion of the installation is expected in December, 1961. Yerkes and McDonald Observatories University of Chicago Chicago, Ill. and Geophysics Research Dzrectorate A ir Force Cambridge Research Center Bedford, Mass. Publication: The Astronomical Journal Pub Date: October 1959 DOI: 10.1086/107945 Bibcode: 1959AJ.....64..338K full text sources ADS |