Manastash Ridge Observatory

Manastash Ridge Observatory
Organization	University of Washington
Location	Ellensburg, WA
Coordinates	46°57′N 120°44′W / 46.95°N 120.73°W / 46.95; -120.73
Altitude	1198 meters (3930 ft)
Website astro.washington.edu/laws/MRO/home.page/Home.html
Telescopes Boller and Chivens Telescope 30" cassegrain

The Manastash Ridge Observatory (MRO) is an astronomical observatory built in 1972 by the University of Washington. The observatory is approximately 2,600 square feet (240 m²) and includes a 30" Boller and Chivens cassegrain telescope. The observatory is mostly used by undergraduate students for basic observational skills. It is located in a fairly remote area, but which can be reached by back roads from either Ellensburg or Selah.^[1]

MRO is also part of the Manastash Ridge Radar (MRR). MRR is a bistatic, passive radar controlled by the University of Washington's Radar Remote Sensing Laboratory (RRSL) led by Dr. John Sahr. MRR is a passive radar which uses commercial FM radio broadcasts from Seattle to sense ionospheric turbulence, meteors, and airplanes. The receivers are located at the University of Washington and at MRO.

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Observatory Directors: Current: Julie Lutz

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See also

• List of astronomical observatories

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References

• University of Washington Fact Sheet
• Manastash Ridge Observatory Webpage

1. ^ Driving directions, Manastash Ridge Observatory, http://www.astro.washington.edu/laws/MRO/home.page/GettingToMRO.html, retrieved 2009-11-22 

External links

• Manastash Ridge Observatory Clear Sky Clock Forecast of observing conditions.