Transforming Mount Laguna Observatory into a Regional Astronomical Research Facility

摘要：圣地亚哥州立大学（SDSU）在拥有23个校区、409,000名学生的加州州立大学系统中是独一无二的，因为它是唯一一个拥有天文系和主要天文研究天文台的校园。拉古纳山天文台（MLO）位于圣地亚哥以东72公里的绝佳地点，由SDSU在美国林务局的特别许可下运营。由于该合同的签订，MLO的设施将得到现代化和加强，使它们更具有科学生产力，并可供广大合格的天文学家和学生使用。mlo1 -m的翻新将解决和纠正导致图像质量差的问题。升级的0.6米望远镜将为社区的教育和研究提供额外的用户友好设施。许多科学项目的具体例子直接受益于提议的升级，包括对变星、星团、河外新星、AGN变异性和紧密天体双星的研究。MLO的增强将为天文学界提供一个强大的、高质量的研究设施。MLO服务于SDSU的教师、学生和客座观察员。一个大大扩展的访客观察计划将允许更多的游客使用MLO的设施，无论是亲自或通过服务观察。嘉宾观察员将有20%的时间在1米和25%的时间在0.6米。优先考虑区域社区（科罗拉多州立大学系统和当地圣地亚哥学院）的天文学家，但来自世界各地的客座观察员提案将被接受。圣地亚哥州立大学的研究生和本科生将成为客座观察员计划的重要组成部分，他们将被雇用提供夜间协助、远程观察协助或服务观察。劳工处设有专门的公共教育/外展设施；与林务局合作举办的夏季游客计划以及其他MLO活动每年接待约2500名游客。SDSU的天文学家还通过他们的课堂（每年大约2000名非理科生）和他们对MLO的相关实地考察，以及校园内的公共宣传活动，与公众分享他们的研究。该奖项由天文科学部和MPS多学科活动办公室资助。

Proposal: 0519686 Principal Investigator: Paul Etzel Title: Transforming Mount Laguna Observatory into a Regional Astronomical Research Facility ABSTRACT: San Diego State University (SDSU) is unique in the 23-campus, 409,000-student California State University system in that it is the only campus with an Astronomy Department and a major astronomical research observatory. Located at an excellent site 72 km east of San Diego, the Mount Laguna Observatory (MLO) is operated by SDSU under Special Permit from the U.S. Forest Service. As a result of this award, the facilities at MLO will be modernized and enhanced, making them more scientifically productive and available to a wide range of qualified astronomers and students. The refurbishment of the MLO 1-m will address and correct the problems that result in poor image quality. Upgrades to the 0.6-m telescope will provide an additional user-friendly facility to the community for education and research. Specific examples of the many scientific projects that directly benefit from the proposed upgrades include research on variable stars, star clusters, extragalactic novae, AGN variability, and compact-object binaries. The MLO enhancements will provide a robust, high-quality research facility serving the astronomical community. MLO serves SDSU faculty, students, and guest observers. A greatly expanded Guest Observer Program will allow many more visitors to use the MLO facilities, both in person and via service observing. An allocation of 20% time on the 1-m and 25% on the 0.6-m will be available for Guest Observers. Priority will be given to astronomers in the regional community (CSU system and local San Diego colleges) but Guest Observer proposals from all over the world will be accepted. SDSU graduate and undergraduate students will be a vital part of the Guest Observer Program, being hired to provide night assistance, remote observing assistance, or service observing. MLO has facilities dedicated to public education/outreach; the Summer Visitors Program held in cooperation with the Forest Service, and other MLO events, host approximately 2500 guests annually. SDSU astronomers also share their research with the public through their classes (approximately 2000 non-science major students per year) and their associated field trips to MLO, and via on-campus public outreach events. This award is funded by the Division of Astronomical Sciences and the MPS Office of Multidisciplinary Activities.