Transforming Mount Laguna Observatory into a Regional Astronomical Research Facility

建议：0519686首席研究员：保罗埃策尔题目：改造拉古纳山天文台为区域天文研究设施摘要：圣地亚哥州立大学（SDSU）是唯一的校园，23个校园，409，000名学生的加州州立大学系统，因为它是唯一的校园与天文系和一个主要的天文研究天文台。拉古纳山天文台（MLO）位于圣地亚哥以东72公里处，由SDSU根据美国林务局的特别许可证运营。由于这个奖项，在MLO的设施将现代化和增强，使他们更科学的生产力和提供给广泛的合格的天文学家和学生。MLO 1-m的翻新将解决并纠正导致图像质量差的问题。0.6 m望远镜的升级将为社区的教育和研究提供额外的用户友好设施。直接受益于拟议升级的许多科学项目的具体例子包括对变星、星星团、河外新星、活动星系核可变性和致密天体双星的研究。MLO的改进将提供一个强大的，高质量的研究设施，为天文学界服务。MLO服务SDSU教师，学生和客座观察员。一个大大扩大的游客观察员计划将允许更多的游客使用MLO设施，无论是亲自或通过服务观察。客座观察员将有20%的时间分配给1米，25%的时间分配给0.6米。优先考虑地区社区的天文学家（CSU系统和当地的圣地亚哥学院），但来自世界各地的客座观察员建议将被接受。SDSU的研究生和本科生将是客座观察员计划的重要组成部分，被雇用提供夜间援助，远程观察援助或服务观察。MLO拥有专门用于公共教育/外展的设施;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名客人。SDSU天文学家还通过他们的课程（每年约有2000名非科学专业的学生）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.