Pine Mountain Observatory

Pine Mountain Observatory is an astronomical observatory owned and operated by University of Oregon Physics Department.It is located convert|26|mi|km Southeast of Bend, Oregon (USA) at an elevation of convert|6500|ft|m. [ cite web
title = Pine Mountain Observatory Homepage
url = http://pmo-sun.uoregon.edu/
accessdate=2007-09-05 ] The site was discovered by professors Russ Donnelly and E.G. Ebbinghausen in 1965 [ cite web
url = http://cas.uoregon.edu/alumnidev/cascade/2005autumn/physics.html
publisher = University of Oregon College of Arts & Sciences
title = Alumni & Development CAS News, Honoring the Hundredth Time
date = Autumn 2005
accessdate = 2007-09-05 ] and has been in operation since 1967. [ cite web
url = http://cas.uoregon.edu/alumnidev/cascade/2000spring/200006pmo.html
title = Pine Mountain Observatory
publisher = University of Oregon College of Arts & Sciences
date = Spring 2000
accessdate = 2007-09-05 ]

There are four Cassegrain telescopes with apertures of 10, 15, 24 and convert|32|in|mm. The 10, 15 and convert|24|in|mm|sing=on telescopes can be used for direct optical observation. The convert|32|in|mm|sing=on telescope has a 1024 x 1024 pixel thinned, rear illuminated, blue-sensitive CCD camera with a field size of approximately 36 arcminutes mounted at the prime focus which prevents direct observations.

Pine Mountain Observatory is particularly notable for its public education initiatives, being one of the few professional observatories that routinely invites the public to participate in night tours and observing sessions. The observatory also hosts amateur star parties with the stated objective of directly involving more people in astronomy.

As well as public education, the observatory has hosted a number of significant projects including groundbreaking research [ cite web
url = http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1970ApJ...161L..77K
title = Discovery of Circularly Polarized Light from a White Dwarf
author = James C. Kemp
coauthors = John B. Swedlund, J. D. Landstreet, and J. R. P. Angel
publisher = Astrophysical Journal
doi = 1970ApJ...161L..77K
date = August 1970
pages = L77–L79
accessdate = 2007-09-06 ] on White dwarf stars.

As of July 2007, a project is underway, in collaboration with Portland State University, to replace the historical 15" telescope with a remotely controlled convert|14|in|mm|sing=on telescope for astronomical imaging.

See also

*List of observatories

References

External links

* [http://cleardarksky.com/c/PneMtnObORkey.html?1 Pine Mountain Observatory Clear Sky Clock] Forecast of observing conditions.
* [http://pmo-sun.uoregon.edu/~pmo Friends of Pine Mountain Observatory] Volunteer group responsible for public viewing, tours, and educational outreach program.