The Renovated Thacher Observatory and First Science Results

TL;DR

The renovated Thacher Observatory, equipped with a new 0.7-m telescope and automation, demonstrates diverse scientific capabilities including photometry, supernova monitoring, and transient follow-up, showcasing its broad research potential.

Contribution

This paper presents the first science results from the fully upgraded and automated Thacher Observatory, highlighting its enhanced observational capabilities and scientific applications.

Findings

Successful characterization of site conditions including sky brightness and seeing

Demonstration of the observatory's performance in various photometric programs

First science results from supernova, variable stars, and transient observations

Abstract

Located on the campus of the Thacher School in Southern California, the Thacher Observatory has a legacy of astronomy research and education that dates back to the late 1950's. In 2016, the observatory was fully renovated with upgrades including a new 0.7-m telescope, a research grade camera, and a slit dome with full automation capabilities. The low-elevation site is bordered by the Los Padres National Forest and therefore affords dark to very dark skies allowing for accurate and precise photometric observations. We present a characterization of the site including sky brightness, weather, and seeing, and we demonstrate the on-sky performance of the facility. Our primary research programs are based around our multi-band photometric capabilities and include photometric monitoring of variable sources, a nearby supernova search and followup program, a quick response transient followup effort, and exoplanet and eclipsing binary light curves. Select results from these programs are included in this work which highlight the broad range of science available to an automated observatory with a moderately sized telescope.