CACTUS
| File:Fish eye Solar Two.jpg Solar II collector (prior to Observatory use) | |||
| Organization | University of California, Davis | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Daggett, California, USA | ||
| Coordinates | 34°52′19″N 116°50′03″W / 34.87187°N 116.83419°W | ||
| Altitude | 610 metres (2,000 ft) | ||
| Established | 2001-2004 | ||
| Closed | 2005 | ||
| Website | CACTUS University of California at Davis | ||
| Telescopes | |||
| |||
  Location of CACTUS | |||
CACTUS (Converted Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescope Using Solar-2) is a ground based Air Cherenkov Telescope (ACT) located at Daggett, California, near Barstow. It was originally a solar power plant called Solar Two, but was converted to an observatory starting in 2001. The first astronomical observations started in the fall of 2004. However, the facility had its last observing runs in November 2005 as funds for observational operations from the National Science Foundation were no longer available.[1] The facility is operated by the University of California, Davis but owned by Southern California Edison.[2]
See also
- Air shower (physics)
- Čerenkov radiation
- Gamma-ray astronomy - provides some history of high energy astronomy.
- IACT
- The Solar Project - the physical facility that preceded C.A.C.T.U.S. in Daggett.
- STACEE
- Ultra-high-energy cosmic ray
References
- ^ "History of Solar Two". Retrieved 2009-02-20. [dead link]
- ^ "Solar Two Experimental Solar Facility". Retrieved 2009-05-29.
External links
- UC Davis Official Website
- Google Satellite Image
- The observatory is located at 34°52′19″N 116°50′03″W / 34.87187°N 116.83419°W
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