Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-s2hrs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-20T05:01:39.951Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The Observatorio Astronómico Nacional - Tonantzintla: Site Evaluation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2011

H.M. Hernández-Toledo
Affiliation:
Instituto de Astronomía, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria. A.P. 70-264, C.P. 04510, México D.F., México email: [email protected]
L.A. Martínez-Vázquez
Affiliation:
Instituto de Astronomía, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria. A.P. 70-264, C.P. 04510, México D.F., México email: [email protected]
A. Pani-Cielo
Affiliation:
Observatorio Astronómico Nacional - Tonantzintla, Luis Enrique Erro, Tonantzintla, Puebla 72840, México email: [email protected]
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

The objective of this contribution is to present some results of an evaluation on the local conditions at the site that were considered in order to propose that the Observatorio Astronómico Nacional, Tonantzintla, (OAN-Tonantzintla) become a National Facility for Astronomy Education. The evaluation included a quantitative diagnostic (CCD photometry) on the quality of the local sky. The attributes of the 1-m telescope, the current instrumentation and a well planned upgrading that includes new instrumentation is considered at the basis for a successful transition maintaining the attractiveness of the site for astronomy education. A 3-year upgrading program actually in progress at UNAM is providing funding for that purpose. Physics and astronomy programs at college and graduated levels at UNAM will benefit from this, yielding clear connections among astronomy researchers and educators and students at various levels. Although the OAN-Tonantzintla faces the danger of deteriorating its sky conditions, we are maintaining awareness of the night sky characteristics in long-term monitoring campaigns and encouraging the local authorities to find alternative solutions to this problem.

Type
Contributed Papers
Copyright
Copyright © International Astronomical Union 2011

References

Hernández-Toledo, H.M., Martínez-Vázquez, L.A., Moreno-Corral, M.A., Pani-Cielo, A. 2010, Revista Mexicana Astronomía Astrofísica, 46, 47Google Scholar
Pişmiş, P., Hasse, I., Moreno, M.A. 1984, BAAS, 16, 959Google Scholar
Voitsekhovich, V.V., Sánchez, L.J., Orlov, V.G., Garfias, F., Benítez, R. 2005, Revista Mexicana Astronomía Astrofísica, 41, 399Google Scholar