Tortugas Mountain Observatory

Tortugas Mountain Observatory
Named afterTortugas Mountain Edit this on Wikidata
OrganizationNew Mexico State University
LocationLas Cruces, New Mexico
Coordinates32°17′35″N 106°41′53″W / 32.2931°N 106.6980°W / 32.2931; -106.6980
Altitude1,451 meters (4,760 ft)
Established1963 (1963)
Telescopes
unnamed telescope0.61 m reflector
Tortugas Mountain Observatory is located in the United States
Tortugas Mountain Observatory
Location of Tortugas Mountain Observatory
[edit on Wikidata]

Tortugas Mountain Observatory (TMO) is an astronomical observatory owned and operated by New Mexico State University (NMSU). It is located on Tortugas Mountain, also known locally as 'A' Mountain, in southern New Mexico (USA), approximately 8 kilometers (5.0 mi) southeast of Las Cruces and 4 kilometers (2.5 mi) east of the NMSU campus. Founded in 1963 under the supervision of Clyde Tombaugh, the observatory focused on observing the planets.[1] Much of the information captured at TMO is now available through the Planetary Data System's Atmospheres Node, which is managed by NMSU. The two-dome observatory building was completed in 1964, though observing began with one of the telescopes in 1963.[2] A second building, with a larger single dome, was completed at the opposite end of the ridgeline of Tortugas Mountain in 1967.[3] Regular use of TMO ceased in 1999 or 2000, but the observatory equipment was not dismantled.[4][5] In 2008 it was used for the Lunar Crater Observing and Sensing Satellite project.[6] In 2010, efforts to revive the observatory for use by the American Association of Variable Star Observers began. As of 10 June 2011, work on project was reported to be 60-75% done.[7]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference 1962REPT was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference 1965REPT was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference 1967REPT was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference 1999REPT was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference 2002REPT was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference LCROSS was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference NMSUNEWS was invoked but never defined (see the help page).