The Guillermo Haro Observatory (Spanish: Observatorio Astrofísico Guillermo Haro - OAGH) is an
astronomical
Astronomy () is a natural science that studies celestial objects and phenomena. It uses mathematics, physics, and chemistry in order to explain their origin and evolution. Objects of interest include planets, moons, stars, nebulae, galaxies ...
observatory
An observatory is a location used for observing terrestrial, marine, or celestial events. Astronomy, climatology/meteorology, geophysical, oceanography and volcanology are examples of disciplines for which observatories have been constructed. His ...
owned and operated by the
National Institute of Astrophysics, Optics and Electronics
The National Institute of Astrophysics, Optics and Electronics (in Spanish: ''Instituto Nacional de Astrofísica, Óptica y Electrónica, INAOE'') is a Mexican science research institute located in Tonantzintla, Puebla.
Founded by presidential d ...
(Spanish: Instituto Nacional de Astrofísica, Óptica y Electrónica - INAOE) in the
Mexican state
The states of Mexico are first-level administrative territorial entities of the country of Mexico, which is officially named Mexico, United Mexican States. There are 32 federal entities in Mexico (31 states and the capital, Mexico City, as a sepa ...
of
Sonora
Sonora (), officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Sonora ( en, Free and Sovereign State of Sonora), is one of the 31 states which, along with Mexico City, comprise the Administrative divisions of Mexico, Federal Entities of Mexico. The state is d ...
. It is located north of
Cananea
Cananea is a city in the Mexican state of Sonora, Northwestern Mexico. It is the seat of the Municipality of Cananea, in the vicinity of the U.S−Mexico border.
The population of the city was 31,560 as recorded by the 2010 census. The pop ...
and south-east of
Mount Hopkins. It is named after Professor
Guillermo Haro
Guillermo Haro Barraza (; 21 March 1913 – 26 April 1988) was a Mexican astronomer. Through his own astronomical research and the formation of new institutions, Haro was influential in the development of modern observational astronomy in M ...
.
Telescopes
The main telescope at the observatory is
Ritchey-Chretein design with a primary mirror and a secondary mirror. Four different instruments are available to be mounted at the
Cassegrain focus.
Planning for the telescope began in 1972, but it was not dedicated until 1987. Routine operations began in 1992.
The observatory has a
Schmidt-Cassegrain reflector built by
Meade Instruments
The Meade Instruments (also shortened to Meade) is an American multinational company headquartered in Watsonville, California, that manufactures, imports, and distributes telescopes, binoculars, spotting scopes, microscopes, CCD cameras, and te ...
on an equatorial mount located in a separate dome.
It is used to make
atmospheric extinction
In astronomy, extinction is the absorption and scattering of electromagnetic radiation by dust and gas between an emitting astronomical object and the observer. Interstellar extinction was first documented as such in 1930 by Robert Julius Trum ...
measurements and to monitor
light pollution
Light pollution is the presence of unwanted, inappropriate, or excessive use of artificial Visible spectrum, lighting. In a descriptive sense, the term ''light pollution'' refers to the effects of any poorly implemented lighting, during the day ...
.
See also
*
National Astronomical Observatory (Mexico)
The National Astronomical Observatory (Spanish: ''Observatorio Astronómico Nacional''—OAN) is an astronomical observatory in Baja California, Mexico.
History Mexico City
The observatory was first established on the balcony of Chapultepec Ca ...
*
List of astronomical observatories
This is a list of astronomical observatories ordered by name, along with initial dates of operation (where an accurate date is available) and location. The list also includes a final year of operation for many observatories that are no longer in ...
References
External links
Homepage of the Observatorio Astrofísico Guillermo Haroin Spanish
Forecasts of observing conditions.
Astronomical observatories in Mexico
Cananea
Buildings and structures in Sonora
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