Josef Gochermann

Seeing Conditions at Sutherland. Results of the 1992/93 seeing campaign

In order to decide whether the seeing conditions at SAAO/Sutherland justify the erection of a 3.5 m telescope and also to compare Sutherland with the Gamsberg/Namibia site, a seeing campaign covering 15 months has been carried out. For direct comparison with the results of the seeing campaign at Gamsberg twenty years before the same QUESTAR telescope was employed. The seeing is determined by the scattering of the star-trail exposed on a film in the focal plane of the telescope. The campaign commenced in February 1992. Up to May 1993, data for 204 nights, that is 47.3% of the total number of nights, were collected. Due to wind speeds above 30 km h-1, 25 out of the 204 nights were not considered in the final reduction. The useful 179 nights are evenly distributed over the campaign period. The median seeing value for the whole period is σ = 0″.52. There are differences during the year: the best season gives σ = 0″.42, the worst σ = 0″.67. Each night was divided into three intervals, although data for each of the three intervals were not always available. Generally, there is an improvement in the seeing during the course of a night. The results are compared to the seeing values of Gamsberg/Namibia and ESO/La Silla.

Site selection for an astronomical observatory on Madeira

Possible sites for an astronomical observatory have been explored. Maritime stable air is expected to reach Pico de Paul (1640 m) almost perfectly unaltered, 4 km windward from the sea, providing there is extremely good seeing. About 62% of the nights in summer and 41% of the nights in winter are expected to be clear. Seeing measurements have been started.

The Optical Science and Technology Centre at Bochum — A New Partner for Observational Astronomy

The activities of the Optical Science and Technology Centre (Optikzentrum) in developing and applying astronomical technologies are described. Examples are given of research and development projects, design and construction, new technologies, new materials and consulting and support.