WiSE Field Trip to Mt. Laguna Observatory
SDSU GEN S 100C University Seminar Learning Community:
Women In Science and Engineering (WiSE)
Information on WiSE Field Trip to Mt. Laguna Observatory
Date: Saturday Nov 22
Depart SDSU: 3:00 pm parking H Lot (outside Zura Residence Hall)
Return to SDSU: 9 pm back at SDSU (approximate)
Contact Person: Prof. Bill Welsh, Astronomy Dept.
E-mail: wfw@sciences.sdsu.edu; 619 594-2288
Introduction:
Mt. Laguna Observatory (MLO) is an astronomical research facility operated
by San Diego State University. MLO is located in the Cleveland National
Forest approximately 50 miles east of SDSU at an altitude of 6100 feet.
The weather is excellent with a very high percentage of clear nights
(perfect weather 60% of the time, good weather 75% of the time) and
a temperature inversion in the foothills creates a cloud layer that blocks
light pollution from urban San Diego. These make Mount Laguna one of
the best overall observatory sites in the continental United States. MLO
is home to four well-equipped telescopes, ranging in size from 21-inches
to 40-inches in diameter. There is a Visitor's Center with lecture room,
a small museum, a kitchen galley, dorms for students, an apartment for
astronomers, and restrooms.
The WiSE Field Trip:
We'll watch the sunset and get a tour of the facilities when we arrive,
before it gets too dark. We'll then have dinner while Dr. Welsh gives a
short PowerPoint presentation. Then we'll go over to the Reginald Buller
21-inch Visitor's telescope. This classic telescope has superb optics for
viewing celestial objects by eye. We'll look at Jupiter and its moons (and
maybe see the great red spot), look at a globular star cluster, and maybe
even the Andromeda galaxy (actually visible to the naked eye - it is
approximately 2.5 million light years away and hence we're looking back
in time 2.5 million years!). Using smaller telescopes, we'll look at the
craters on the Moon, and the planet Venus.
At 8 pm we'll pack up and leave MLO, and get back to SDSU around 9 pm.
Observatory Conditions:
The weather will be cold.
The weather will be cold.
The weather will be very cold.
The weather will be VERY cold.
The weather will be VERY VERY cold.
The weather will be VERY VERY VERY cold.
The temperature drops very suddenly after sunset. Temperatures will
probably be in the upper 60s at 4pm and will drop into the 40s by 8pm.
Last month, on the weekend we postponed our field trip, the temperature
dropped into the upper 20s!
Do not wear sandals, do not wear shorts, do not wear anything you would
not be comfortable in if there were snow on the ground!
The area will be very dark (since this is a research observatory)
and we have chosen a night when the Moon won't interfere with seeing the
Milky Way.
There will be no lights.
Being in a semi-remote mountanous area, cell phones may not work.
What to bring:
Although it will be warm in San Diego as we get on the bus, the
temperatures will be MUCH MUCH colder at MLO. Please bring warm clothes
to put on after you arrive: heavy coat, gloves, hat, scarf, etc.
We'll be doing some walking (1/2 mile), so please wear comfortable,
sturdy shoes. Don't even think of wearing sandals - your toes will
freeze!
Please bring a small flashlight if you have one. Not everyone needs a
flashlight, but its best if most of us have one.
Bring a camera if you want (but please don't use the flash at night
as you'll ruin everyone's night vision!). I'll have a camera and you can
borrow it if you want.
Bring binoculars if you have some.
Hot water and hot chocolate will be available. Bring your favorite tea
bags if you prefer tea instead of hot chocolate mix.
Your guides will be Prof. Welsh, assisted by two astronomy graduate
students: Carolyn Heffner and Emilio Enriques. These two are experts on
using the Visitor's telescope and will answer any questions you may have.
Their technical expertize will help make this field trip a success.
Virtual Tour of MLO
Current Temperatures at Mt. Laguna
Copy of the class handout on MLO
Photos from the 2008 MLO trip!
Back to the WiSE Seminar website
© All photos by Bill Welsh (SDSU).
