# The NOAO Mid-Scale Observatories

## TL;DR

The paper details the capabilities and upgrades of the NOAO Mid-Scale Observatories, highlighting their role in diverse astrophysical surveys and their integration within a new national center.

## Contribution

It introduces the current and future capabilities of the MSO, emphasizing recent upgrades and their significance for astrophysical research.

## Key findings

- Upgraded 4-m class telescopes enable world-class surveys.
- MSO operates at both CTIO and KPNO with mixed funding.
- The observatories support diverse astrophysics research areas.

## Abstract

We describe present and future capabilities of the Mid-Scale Observatories (MSO) of the new national center merging NOAO, Gemini Observatory and LSST Operations. MSO is comprised of Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory (CTIO) and the Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO). Telescopes at both sites currently operate on a mix of public and private funding. Recent upgrades have equipped the MSO 4-m class telescopes to perform world-class surveys in diverse areas of astrophysics, from dark energy to exoplanets.