Ground Based CCD Imaging in Support of the ASTRO-1/UIT Mission: SDSU 40 Inch Observations

Wide field direct CCD images in UBVR, H-alpha, and in selected cases H-beta, [OIII], and/or Stromgren u, were obtained at Kitt Peak, Cerro Tololo and Mount Laguna Observatories to support and to complement the Astro-1 ultraviolet imaging data. All Astro-1/UIT support observations obtained at KPNO were made with the 0.9m telescopes. The first data set (1990) was obtained with the former #1 0.9m telescope. This telescope was subsequently combined with parts of the #2 0.9m telescope to produce the current KPNO 0.9m telescope. Part of our Astro-1/UIT support observations were obtained from Mount Laguna Observatory (MLO). MLO is owned and operated by the San Diego State University (SDSU). It is a dark site located in the Cleveland National Forest about 45 miles inland from downtown San Diego. We used MLO's f/7.6 Ritchey-Chretien 40-inch telescope with a TI 800 CCD to observe some of the northern UIT targets. Most of the images were obtained using a focal reducer, which consists of three optical elements: field lens, collimator lens, and camera lens. Two commercial camera lenses of 50 mm and 85 mm focal length were used. For 15 micron pixels, these lenses give focal plane scales of 1.56 "/pixel and 1.0 "/pixel respectively. More details about the telescope and observatory can be obtained by contacting Dr. Ronald Angione, Mount Laguna Observatory, Astronomy Department, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, Tel:(619)594-6182.