Cerro Pachón

Weather, Sky & Monitoring Tools

SOAR WEBCAMS 

 NEW: TIME LAPSE VIDEOS from last night, and archive for videos of past nights.

GEMINI AND CTIO WEBCAMS (public access)

 

CERRO PACHON WEATHER DATA (public access)

SATELLITE IMAGERY

WEATHER FORECASTS

Time in La Serena:

 

SOAR Top Ring Sky-Viewing Camera (VPN access only)
Note - because the camera is mounted off-center on the top ring of the telescope,
items in the dome like the white spot will appear off-center, mainly in elevation.

SOAR Environmental page and Seeing Monitor
(VPN access only)

 

Cerro Tololo Environment page and Seeing Monitor data
(VPN access only)

 

Blanco Telescope Top Ring Sky-Viewing Camera
(VPN access required)

 

Important note regarding wind and humidity limits to SOAR dome closure:
Steady wind: v > 70 km/h;
Peak gusts: v > 75 km/h ;
RH > 90%, or if there is obvious risk of condensation.

The SOAR Telescope operators will close the dome whenever these parameters reach the limit values, or in cases where blowing dust or passing cloud indicates that closure is necessary even though the formal closure limit has not been reached. The dome must also remain closed if snow and ice on the shutter or in its vicinity pose a risk. The decision on opening or closing the dome falls on the Telescope Operator, who has ample experience to determine whether conditions are safe for carrying out observations.

Updated on February 15, 2023, 10:34 am