What is SOAR Doing Now?

 

Current SOAR Status

The SOAR telescope is currently in its engineering shakedown phase.

Early science observations may start as soon as February 2005.

 

SOAR in the News

 

SOAR Webcams

SOAR has several cameras connected to the Internet to show what is currently happening. Camera timestamps are listed in Universal Time, which is five hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.

 

Webcam 1

This camera shows the SOAR telescope inside the dome.

Webcam 2

This camera shows shows the telescope from a different angle.

SASCA (SOAR All Sky Camera)

This camera compresses the entire sky above SOAR into one picture.

 

Long-term Operations

Observing time will be divided between partners in pre-determined blocks that will rotate so that each partner receives equal shares of dark time vs. bright time, etc. over the long run. Each partner will separately schedule their nights on the telescope.

 

Partner

Cost Share

Observing Time

Michigan State University

14%

12%

University of North Carolina

19%

17%

National Optical Astronomy Observatory

33%

30%

Brazil

34%

31%

Chile*

0

10%

*Chile is not a SOAR partner, but receives observing time because SOAR is located within that country.