El Proyecto

Observatorio de ViequesUn Proyecto desarrollado por

Sr. Vicente RosarioVieques, Puerto Rico

y

Sr. Adam TrotterDepartmento de Física y Astronomía

Universidad de Carolina del Norte en Chapel Hill

Strategy

• Obtain documentation for non-profit incorporation

• Search for available funding– National Science Foundation Grant (approx

$50k)– NASA (P.R. Space Grant)– Corporate Sponsors

• Meet with community leaders• Construction Planning

Construction Phases

• Phase I: Telescope and Enclosure– Approx $100k– UNC will provide technical assistance– Connected via Internet to Skynet Robotic Telescope

Network• Phase II: Science Museum

– Curriculum Development for Educational Outreach– “Green Buildings” & Alternative Energy Sources

• Phase III: Planetarium & Botanical Garden– Community Theater Space– An Example of Environmentally Sustainable

Development for Vieques

Phase I: Telescope

RC Optical Systems Carbon Truss 16 inch f/8.4 Ritchey-Chrétien

Phase I: Enclosure

We have made contact...

Adam Trotter, UNC-Chapel Hill, Presenting Observatory Proposal to Vieques Community Leaders, May 16, 2007

We have made contact...

Vicente Rosario with Profs. Tom English and Aaron Martin, Cline Observatory, Guilford Technical Community College, NC, June 2007.

We have made contact...

Vicente Rosario with Michele Kloda, Exhibits Director, Josh Haislip, Skynet Lab Technician, and Denise Young, Director of Educational Programs, Morehead Planetarium & Science Center, June 2007

We have made contact...

Vicente Rosario with Jose Alonso, Director of Arecibo Observatory Visitor’s Center, August 2007

We have made contact...

Josh Haislip, Prof. Dan Reichart & Adam Trotter: UNC; Ismael Miranda, President of SAPR; Mark Martin, VCHT; Vicente Rosario: Inauguration of VIeques Chapter of SAPR, October 20, 2007

We have made contact...

UPR-Rio Piedras Physics & Astronomy Department, December 2007

We have made contact...

Vicente Rosario at “Astronomy Days”, North Carolina Museum of Natural History, January 26, 2008

Telescope or cluster of telescopes already on SkynetTelescope or cluster of telescopes going on Skynet over the next year

Skynet Robotic Telescope Network

Current Effective Diameter = 1.3 meters

Skynet Public Interface Demonstration