SITE CONDITIONS
Seeing Conditions
Average seeing is 1.0 arcsecond in the summer and 1.2 arcseconds in the winter.
Peak Seeing is sub-arcsecond*
*During Astronomical Darkness (i.e., following Astronomical Twilight), with the sun >18 degrees below the horizon
Average seeing is 1.0 arcsecond in the summer and 1.2 arcseconds in the winter.
Peak Seeing is sub-arcsecond*
*During Astronomical Darkness (i.e., following Astronomical Twilight), with the sun >18 degrees below the horizon
Location
N 37.07 W 119.4 degrees
Located on the western edge of California's Sierra Nevada Mountains, about 50 miles south of Yosemite National Park. There is easy access to SRO, despite our remote and dark location, being only 1 hour by car from the Fresno-Yosemite International Airport.
N 37.07 W 119.4 degrees
Located on the western edge of California's Sierra Nevada Mountains, about 50 miles south of Yosemite National Park. There is easy access to SRO, despite our remote and dark location, being only 1 hour by car from the Fresno-Yosemite International Airport.
Elevation
4,610 feet
Sierra Remote is located in a "sweet spot" of seeing: high enough to be above California's Central Valley inversion layer, but not so high as to prevent easy year-round accessibility to the site.
4,610 feet
Sierra Remote is located in a "sweet spot" of seeing: high enough to be above California's Central Valley inversion layer, but not so high as to prevent easy year-round accessibility to the site.
Airflow Over the Site
Generally out of the west and laminar above 300ft.
The site is on Bald Mountain, which rises several thousand feet above its surrounding terrain in all directions. The prevailing Westerly wind moves smoothly over the site. There are no mountains West of the site that would cause atmospheric turbulence. This allows the airflow to be laminar over the site, resulting in excellent seeing conditions at our 4,610 foot altitude.
Generally out of the west and laminar above 300ft.
The site is on Bald Mountain, which rises several thousand feet above its surrounding terrain in all directions. The prevailing Westerly wind moves smoothly over the site. There are no mountains West of the site that would cause atmospheric turbulence. This allows the airflow to be laminar over the site, resulting in excellent seeing conditions at our 4,610 foot altitude.
Clear Nights
Approximately 290 clear nights annually.
California's Central Valley has one of the highest "ratings" for clear days of any site in the United States.
Approximately 290 clear nights annually.
California's Central Valley has one of the highest "ratings" for clear days of any site in the United States.
Dark Skies
Measured at 21.78 magnitudes / sq arcsecond, V band
Due to its unique location in the Sierra National Forest, there is very little risk of future development or encroachment at SRO which would affect the levels of light pollution.
Measured at 21.78 magnitudes / sq arcsecond, V band
Due to its unique location in the Sierra National Forest, there is very little risk of future development or encroachment at SRO which would affect the levels of light pollution.