[CPEO-MEF] DOD Funds Telescopes

[marianne.thaeler@sfsierra.sierraclub.org]

On April 18, 2000 there was a signing ceremony to initiate the design phase
of an observatory to consist of three 2.4-meter telescopes in a system called
"optical interferometry" that combines light gathering in several
telescopes to create images far more precise than an individual telescope
could produce. This observatory is being funded by the DOD. At least one of
the telescopes will have high-speed acquisition and tracking capability to
view objects at low elevations. According to news reports locally, "The
military wants to use the observatory among other things, to photograph the
moment of impact during
missile intercept tests over White Sands Missile Range", said Kurt Anderson 
NMSU astronomy professor. 

The original design appropriation was $3.5 million, total cost estimated at
$40m, with completion in 4-5 years. According to local newspapers the
observatory will be located west of Socorro, NM and just east of the Very
Large Array radio telescope system on the Magdalena Plain,  "With the Very
Large Array just over the mountain ridge from the Magdalena Ridge
Observatory both facilities can simultaneously track objects with radio and
optical
observations," said Van Romero, New Mexico Tech vice president of research and
physicist. 

During the night astronomers from NMSU, NM Institute of Mining and Technology,
NM Highlands Univ, and the Univ of Puerto Rico will be able to use the
telescopes, according to  the joint operating agreements signed at the 
ceremony. Congressman Joe Skeen is credited for gaining funding for this
project. 

Marianne Thaeler 


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