Observatory
CFHT legacy lives on
Located on the breathtaking summit of Maunakea, CFHT has long enjoyed arguably the best site for optical astronomy on the planet. MSE retains and reuses as much of the existing physical infrastructure as possible, both on the summit and at the headquarters in Waimea.
As much as MSE builds on the same physical infrastructure of CFHT, so too does it build on the successes of CFHT’s expert staff and operations. Over the past decade, this staff has been the vanguard for establishing operational procedures optimized for large, multi-year, survey programs. They were the first major optical astronomy facility to move to queue-scheduled observing, greatly increasing the efficiency of the facility and showing the way for other observatories, including MSE.
As much as MSE builds on the same physical infrastructure of CFHT, so too does it build on the successes of CFHT’s expert staff and operations. Over the past decade, this staff has been the vanguard for establishing operational procedures optimized for large, multi-year, survey programs. They were the first major optical astronomy facility to move to queue-scheduled observing, greatly increasing the efficiency of the facility and showing the way for other observatories, including MSE.
In tandem with their development of queue-based operational procedures, CFHT realized early on that the staff who operate and maintain instruments are often the best-placed to process the data when it first comes off the telescope. In so doing, the observatory provides science-ready data products to its users. This approach is fundamentally necessary when dealing with the specialized, large datasets that MSE will produce on a nightly basis.
Through innovative engineering MSE will fit within the existing envelope of CFHT, enabling revolutionary new science while minimizing any impact to the environment. CFHT will be the first observatory to be recycled in this way and is a leading example of how to apply careful planning and advanced engineering methods to protect sensitive astronomy sites. In the same way CFHT’s local workforce will learn and grow with MSE to offer even more outstanding careers and educational opportunities.
MSE celebrates, is thankful for, and will continue the legacy of CFHT.