In
1998, Boston University and Lowell Observatory began a collaboration to operate and to develop instrumentation for the 72" Perkins telescope at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. This collaboration allows Boston University faculty and students to use half of the Perkins telescope time through out the year. Two instruments have been developed and deployed as a result: Mimir and
Prism. Both instruments can
perform astronomical imaging, specroscopy, and polarimetery. Mimir operates at infrared wavelengths, and Prism at optical wavelengths.
Graduate and undergraduate students have taken an active role in this partnership: developing instrumentation here at BU as well as travelling to Flagstaff to perform research at the telescope.
Further information about Lowell observatory and its instrumentation can be found at the IAR web site (link) and the Lowell Observatory page (link).
The picture above is the Perkins dome at night and was taken by former graduate student Alberto Bolatto (PhD, 2001). Below are two images taken by former graduate student Daniel Eldredge (MA, 2002) using the 72" telescope. The first image (upper or on the left depending on your window size) is Messier 16, commonly called the Eagle Nebula, and the second image is the planetary nebula NGC 7139. Click on any image for an enlarged version.
