1. The SOAR Telescope MSU’s Laboratory for Astronomical Discovery

2. An International Partnership Cerro Pachón, Chile Brazil National Optical Astronomy Observatory

3. An International Partnership Cerro Pachón, Chile Brazil National Optical Astronomy Observatory $32M construction 11 20 yrs operation $43M MSU: $6M, 14% share, 40 nights/yr

4. The Site: Cerro Pachón

5. The Site: Cerro Pachón

6. Cerro Pachón, Chile. 9000’ altitude. In Andes Mountains. The Site: Cerro Pachón

7. Cerro Pachón, Chile. 9000’ altitude. In Andes Mountains. One of worlds’ best astronomical sites Dark skies Clear skies Very little air turbulence. The Site: Cerro Pachón

8. Inside Inside the dome… A big telescope Some small people

9. 3-mirror optical path M2 M3 Fast tip-tilt M1 Primary Mirror Instrument (analyzes light)

10. 3-mirror optical path M2 M3 Fast tip-tilt M1 Primary Mirror Instrument (analyzes light)

11. 3-mirror optical path M2 M3 Fast tip-tilt M1 Primary Mirror Instrument (analyzes light)

12. 3-mirror optical path M2 M3 Fast tip-tilt M1 Primary Mirror Instrument (analyzes light)

13. 3-mirror optical path M2 M3 Fast tip-tilt M1 Primary Mirror Instrument (analyzes light)

14. The Primary Mirror (being installed in its supporting cell) Glass primary mirror: 14 feet in diameter x 4 inches thick Mirror Cell: 120 computer-controlled force actuators

15. Many different instruments available. Analyze light in different ways Optical Imager Optical Spectrograph Optical IFU Spectrograph Infrared Spectrograph Infrared Imager

16. Many different instruments available. Analyze light in different ways Optical Imager Optical Spectrograph Optical IFU Spectrograph Infrared Spectrograph Infrared Imager

17. The Spartan Infrared Camera Built in MSU’s astronomical instrumentation lab. 4096 2 pixel detector array. Highest possible angular resolution. Wide field of view.

18. Why build a 4-meter diameter ground-based telescope?

19.  Wavelength of light The Electromagnetic Spectrum and Absorption by the Earth’s Atmosphere: Why build a 4-meter diameter ground-based telescope?

20.  Wavelength of light The Electromagnetic Spectrum and Absorption by the Earth’s Atmosphere: Light from outer space cannot penetrate below this altitude. Why build a 4-meter diameter ground-based telescope?

21.  Wavelength of light The Electromagnetic Spectrum and Absorption by the Earth’s Atmosphere: Light from outer space cannot penetrate below this altitude. Telescopes must be in space to observe at x-ray, ultra- violet, or far-infrared wavelengths: Chandra X-Ray satellite Hubble Space Telescope Spitzer Infrared satellite Why build a 4-meter diameter ground-based telescope?

22.  Wavelength of light Why build a 4-meter diameter ground-based telescope?

23. Ground-based optical-IR telescopes complement space observatories:  Wavelength of light Why build a 4-meter diameter ground-based telescope?

24. Ground-based optical-IR telescopes complement space observatories:  Wavelength of light We use ground-based telescopes at these wavelengths. Why build a 4-meter diameter ground-based telescope?

25. Ground-based optical-IR telescopes complement space observatories:  Wavelength of light We use ground-based telescopes at these wavelengths. Why build a 4-meter diameter ground-based telescope? SOAR’s infrared images as sharp as Hubble’s!

26. Ground-based optical-IR telescopes complement space observatories:  Wavelength of light We use ground-based telescopes at these wavelengths. Why build a 4-meter diameter ground-based telescope? SOAR’s infrared images as sharp as Hubble’s! Much less expensive than telescope in space!