Manastash Ridge Observatory

Manastash Ridge Observatory

Manastash Ridge Observatory
Organization University of Washington
Location near Ellensburg, Washington
Coordinates 46°57′04″N 120°43′28″W / 46.9511°N 120.7245°W / 46.9511; -120.7245Coordinates: 46°57′04″N 120°43′28″W / 46.9511°N 120.7245°W / 46.9511; -120.7245
Altitude 1,198 meters (3,930 ft)
Established 1972 (1972)
Website Manastash Ridge Observatory
Telescopes
Boller and Chivens Telescope 0.75 m Cassegrain

The Manastash Ridge Observatory (MRO) is an astronomical observatory built in 1972 by the University of Washington.[1] It is located in a remote area approximately 14 kilometers (8.7 mi) west of Ellensburg, Washington, and can be reached by dirt roads from Ellensburg or Selah.[2] The observatory features a 0.75 m (30 in) Ritchey-Chrétien telescope built by Boller and Chivens. Initially used for professional and graduate research, the observatory is now used mostly by undergraduate students for instruction and research.[3]

The Manastash Ridge Radar (MRR) is located in the MRO building. MRR is a bistatic, passive radar controlled by the University of Washington's Radar Remote Sensing Laboratory (RRSL) led by Dr. John Sahr. MRR 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.[4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "MRO History and Basic Data". University of Washington Astronomy Department. Retrieved 2012-02-11.
  2. ↑ "Directions to MRO and Visitor Information". University of Washington Astronomy Department. Retrieved 2009-11-22.
  3. ↑ Lutz, Julie H.; Laws, C.; Ramien, N. (2012). "University of Washington's Manastash Ridge Observatory: 40 Years of Astronomy Research and Education". American Astronomical Society. 219. Bibcode:2012AAS...21915003L.
  4. ↑ "University of Washington Radar Remote Sensing". University of Washington Department of Electrical Engineering. Retrieved 2012-02-11.


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