Weather, Sky & Monitoring Tools

THIS PAGE IS NO LONGER ACTIVELY MAINTAINED! PLEASE VISIT
https://noirlab.edu/science/observing-noirlab/weather-webcams/cerro-pachon
for access to Cerro Pachón webcams, environmental monitors, etc.

SOAR WEBCAMS


SOAR exterior Day/Night: back facing - looking west

SOAR exterior Day/Night: front facing - looking east

SOAR Topring Camera

SOAR Interior Panoramic Cam (NEW)

SOAR Interior camera

SOAR Mirror Covers

CERRO PACHON WEATHER DATA

SATELLITE IMAGERY

WEATHER FORECASTS

Time in La Serena:

 
SKY CAMERAS AND SEEING MONITORS

SOAR Top Ring Sky-Viewing Camera (VPN access only)
Note - because the camera is mounted off-center on the top ring of the telescope,
items in the dome like the white spot will appear off-center, mainly in elevation.
Cerro Pachón Seeing Monitor and Environmental page
(VPN access only)

 
Cerro Tololo Environment page and Seeing Monitor data
(VPN access only)

 
Blanco Telescope Top Ring Sky-Viewing Camera
(VPN access required)
 

 

Important note regarding wind and humidity limits to SOAR dome closure:
Steady wind: v > 70 km/h;
Peak gusts: v > 75 km/h ;
RH > 90%, or if there is obvious risk of condensation.

The SOAR Telescope operators will close the dome whenever these parameters reach the limit values, or in cases where blowing dust or passing cloud indicates that closure is necessary even though the formal closure limit has not been reached. The dome must also remain closed if snow and ice on the shutter or in its vicinity pose a risk. The decision on opening or closing the dome falls on the Telescope Operator, who has ample experience to determine whether conditions are safe for carrying out observations.