"Cerro Azul" Information

"Cerro Azul"
AREA DE ASTRONOMIA

DIF-FUS Universidad de sonora

ocslogo.gif (14033 bytes)

In the State of Sonora, Mexico, there are several mountains with elevations superior to 2000 meters, such as the 'Sierra del Ajo', the zone of Yécora and the 'Sierra Azul' range. Considering the logistic, the most accessible site within the three mentioned for the installation of an observatory is the 'Sierra Azul' range.

The Mountain range of 'Sierra del Ajo' has breaches solely and its access is difficult. The Mountain range of Yécora is very far from cities that could provide the basic requirements for an astronomical observatory.

The 'Sierra Azul' range is located to the East of the Mountain range of 'La Madera', with coordinates:

30 degrees 44 ' of North latitude.
110 degrees 34 ' of length the west.
2465 meters above sea level of elevation.

It is located northeast of Magdalena and Southeast of Imuris, the distance between these cities in straight line is 36 and 26 km respectively.

There are two ways that allow the access to the top of the mountain in all terrain vehicle traveling by approximately two hours.

The top of the mountain range, well-known as 'Cerro Azul' is an isolated mountain that reaches the greater elevation, appearing in the top a site with direction north-south in its greater length and an approximated area of 850 x150 metes. In the south of this site there are twenty communications antennas of different kind. Approximately 200 ms to the top a rising tide exists.

On the basis of prevailing winds, these would not affect the top of the 'Cerro Azul'. The originating fronts of winter from California and Arizona do not get to affect the site so frequently as it happens, for example, in the Mountain range 'La Mariquita', where indeed a turn of currents at that time takes place. The summer fronts, known like the Monsoons (July-August) are transferred on the Mountain range 'Sierra Madre Occidental' southwest to the northwest, journey alongside Eastern of the 'Cerro Azul' range.

The 'Cerro Azul' on the other hand, does not receive direct light from Imuris or Magdalena when being this one blocked by the Mountain range of 'La Madera'. Also, the light from Cananea is blocked by the Mountain range 'La Elenita'. By the previous thing, the only contamination of light that is received in 'Cerro Azul' for the future night observation, is the originating one from near little ranch and can be considered despicable.

In April of 1996, a group from the Astronomy Area CIF-US and the Steward Observatory of the University of Arizona visited the top of 'Cerro Azul' to evaluate the way and conditions of the mountain, being notice the advantages of this place for the installation of the observatory.

On November 18 of the same year, Mr. Taurino and Jesus Fernandez, as well as the Dr. Heriberto Aguayo Amaya donate an area of 400 m2 to the University of Sonora to carry out the installation of the Observatory.

INVEST IN THE FUTURE...

Last Update: January 22, 2000.