Sternwarte Mirasteilas

The observatory Mirasteilas (Romansh " stargazer ") is an astronomical observatory in Falera in Surselva in the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. It is equipped with a 90 - inch reflecting telescope and thus the largest publicly accessible observatory in Switzerland.

History

In 2001 organized the locals José De Queiroz, Portuguese by birth, innkeeper in Falera and a member of the Astronomical Society of the Grisons, the first time an astronomy meeting in Falera. The place offered and, thanks to its easy accessibility, its elevated position on a terrace with a broad sky to the west, south and east and low light pollution ideal conditions for observation of celestial bodies.

2002 came at a further meeting in Falera telescope on the question whether an observatory could be created here. The council recognized that the construction of an observatory could be a big win for the village, there were at that time in Graubünden no plant of this kind members of the municipal council and the Astronomical Society of Grisons then visited several observatories in eastern Switzerland in order to Observatories inform. A suitable location was found a few minutes outside the village at the ski slope with ski lift for children.

On 11 September 2002 a working group was formed and the architectural firm of Schneider & Cathomas Falera took over the planning of the observatory. On 5 December 2005, the municipal assembly approved a construction loan of 690,000 francs for the construction of the plant. In addition to the observatory should also be housed in small restaurant for visitors to the ski slope. As a support, a foundation was established, in which the political community Falera, the AAG and Flims -Laax -Falera tourism one ate. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on 9 May 2006 and in winter 2006/ 2007, the restaurant was opened. Since the delivery of the large telescope delayed a bit, the observatory could be put into operation until 22 June 2007.

Building

The heart of the observatory is the observation platform on the first floor with the observation instruments. The roof can be reduced to two tracks so that instruments and the audience get a clear view of the sky. To prevent vibration transmission to the telescope, but a separate foundation has been created. Integrated in the wheelchair-accessible buildings are a technology room, a small restaurant and sanitation, which can be used on the day of the visitors to the Kinderskiwiese and in the evening of the observatories visitors. The restaurant space also launch events or bad weather programs are conducted for visitors to the observatory.

Instruments

The main instrument, a Cassegrain telescope with Nasmyth focus, a mirror diameter of 90 inches and 9 meters focal length, is one of the largest publicly accessible telescope in Europe. It can be used to reach up to 1000-fold magnifications. The instrument is fully computer controlled and can be automatically aligned to each object in the sky. The ocular located on the side of the device in the declination to 145 cm viewing height. Data: Clear aperture 900 mm, focal length 9000 mm, with 5940 mm Reducer.

The second instrument is a Takahashi FS- 15 is available. This is a classic lens telescope. The instrument is particularly suitable for planetary observations. Data: Clear aperture 152 mm, focal length of 1216 mm.

To view nebulae, galaxies and star clusters in a large field of view, is a purpose-built for astronomical purposes Binocular available. Data: 25x100 mm on fork assembly, optics: Opening 100 millimeters. For astrophotography a Astrograph is available on a separate mount.

Operation

It is operated observatory of the Astronomical Society of the Grisons AGG. Around 30 trained demonstrators are available to visitors alternately available. Public tours take place every Friday and Saturday or by appointment.

Observations

Thanks to its high-quality instruments Mirasteilas can work scientifically. The observatory is one of Falera with the observatories of Winterthur, Carona and Ependes to those stations, observe the asteroids, comets and satellites and measure their path. The data are sent to the Minor Planet Center of the International Astronomical Union at Harvard University and from there to NASA. There they are of science for further research are available. The individual measurements make it possible to detect or calculate the orbits of newly discovered objects, and so that possible dangers to discover track changes of known asteroids.

Small Planet " Falera »

The asteroid " Falera " was discovered on 21 November 2009 by the founder of the observatory José De Queiroz. The object has a diameter of about 3 kilometers. The asteroid orbits the Sun at an average distance of about 471 million kilometers and requires for a complete circulation 5 years and 6 months. At the time of its discovery, the asteroid was about 315 million kilometers from Earth. In his brightness he was there more than 16,000 times fainter than visible to the naked eye stars in the sky.

On May 26, 2010 by the International Astronomical Union and the Minor Planet Center at the University of Cambridge in the name of " Falera " for the asteroid was awarded with the serial number 233943. With the award of this name, the work of the Observatory Mirasteilas is recognized, which deals since 2008 with the discovery and orbit determination of unknown minor planets. The official text of the naming is archived in the " Minor Planet Center."