The CHARA Array

The CHARA Array Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from The CHARA Array, Nonprofit Organization, mount Wilson Observatory, Mount Wilson, CA.

The CHARA Array is a six telescope Optical/NIR interferometer run by Georgia State University and located on Mount Wilson Observatory, just north of Los Angeles in California USA.

CHARA Telescope Systems Scientist Nic Scott talks Fraser Cain from Universe Today about how the world's largest visible ...
11/06/2025

CHARA Telescope Systems Scientist Nic Scott talks Fraser Cain from Universe Today about how the world's largest visible light telescope array works.

đź”´ [Interview+] No YT adshttps://www.patreon.com/collection/44300Interferometry is a topic that constantly comes up when talking about telescopes. How exactl...

We are happy to announce that the CHARA Array has received a new $1.39M grant from the National Science Foundation. The ...
09/02/2025

We are happy to announce that the CHARA Array has received a new $1.39M grant from the National Science Foundation. The funding will allow us to upgrade the dichroic beam splitters in the adaptive optics systems at the telescopes to make it easier to image stars simultaneously at visible and infrared wavelengths. As part of the grant, we will also upgrade our star tracking camera to improve the alignment stability for fainter stars.

The observatory is set to unveil the cosmos in sharper focus, capturing stars across the visible and near-infrared spectrum like never before.

The CHARA Array celebrates the 20th anniversary of its first scientific publication.
07/23/2025

The CHARA Array celebrates the 20th anniversary of its first scientific publication.

The first findings from Georgia State University’s CHARA Array at the Mount Wilson Observatory appeared 20 years ago this month.

Relieved that Mount Wilson Observatory and the CHARA Array are still standing after the Eaton Fire approached the mounta...
01/10/2025

Relieved that Mount Wilson Observatory and the CHARA Array are still standing after the Eaton Fire approached the mountain. We will keep track of status updates at the following link:

http://www.chara.gsu.edu/press-release/eaton-fire-reaches-mount-wilson

Our hearts go out those who have lost their homes in these tragic fires.

We are relieved to report that the flare-up of the Eaton Fire near the Observatory seems to be under control at the moment. There are fires below the towers and parking lot but fire crews are monitoring the situation, letting the fire consume the fuel. There are 14 or so trucks, 80 or so firefighters, from around the state. We are eternally grateful to the firefighters and our mountain staff for their dedication to keeping the mountain safe. We will continue to monitor the situation as things can change quickly.

AAS Nova highlighted Nancy Evan's paper on "The Orbit and Dynamical Mass of Polaris: Observations with the CHARA Array" ...
12/18/2024

AAS Nova highlighted Nancy Evan's paper on "The Orbit and Dynamical Mass of Polaris: Observations with the CHARA Array" as part of their “Selections from 2024” series that looks back at some of the most-read AAS journal articles published this year.

Though the North Star, Polaris, appears to be an unwavering single star, it's actually a variable star belonging to a triple star system.

A nice write up on the power of combining high resolution imaging at CHARA with long-term photometric monitoring by AAVS...
12/18/2024

A nice write up on the power of combining high resolution imaging at CHARA with long-term photometric monitoring by AAVSO observers.

With a radius of more than a thousand times that of the Sun, and weighing more than 25 Solar masses, RW Cephei is a giant among supergiants.

Large, massive stars like RW Cep tend to excite the interest of the astronomical community, and it did just that by acting out of character in late 2022 by fading to about one-third of its normal brightness.

Learn how astronomers combined high-resolution imagery with historical records submitted by AAVSO observers helped unlock the physical processes behind a star's “great dimming.”

https://bit.ly/41y4Yui

Image Credits: Sloan Digital Sky Survey (left), Georgia State University/Anugu et al (right).

In case you missed it yesterday, here’s a recording of our Shadow the Scientists session on our mirror recoating process...
11/20/2024

In case you missed it yesterday, here’s a recording of our Shadow the Scientists session on our mirror recoating process.

The flagship project of Georgia State University’s Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy (CHARA) is its optical interferometric array of six telescope...

This week at the CHARA Array we are removing and recoating one of our telescope’s mirrors. Join us today with Shadow the...
11/19/2024

This week at the CHARA Array we are removing and recoating one of our telescope’s mirrors. Join us today with Shadow the Scientists to observe and discuss some of this process. Register here for the Zoom link:

The StS initiative is housed under the CrEST (Creating Equity in STEAM) umbrella of initiatives offered by a team at the University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC). Session Date and Time: November 19, 10:00 AM Pacific / 6:00 PM UTC *Note: StS Zoom sessions will be recorded and the recordings will be...

The Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy (CHARA) at Georgia State University (GSU) is seeking applicants for a T...
09/26/2024

The Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy (CHARA) at Georgia State University (GSU) is seeking applicants for a Telescope Operations Specialist.

HERE IS WHAT YOU WILL DO

The ideal candidate for this position will operate the CHARA Array, an optical/infrared long-baseline interferometer at Mount Wilson Observatory (www.chara.gsu.edu). The telescope operations specialist controls the telescopes and associated systems of the Array for night-time observation of astronomical objects. The work involves slewing the telescopes, locking the adaptive optics systems, monitoring the dome positions, beam alignment control, delay line control, and monitoring the performance of the beam combiners. It is a unique facility, and prospective applicants will require several weeks of training with CHARA staff. This position requires year-round night-time work in the mountain-top environment of the Mount Wilson Observatory north of Los Angeles, California. The job schedule involves rotating weekend duty, occasional holiday work, and work during emergencies.

Applications received by September 30, 2024, will receive full consideration. An offer of employment will be conditional on background verification.


Qualifications:
Minimum Requirements:

Bachelor's degree and five years of research experience; or High School diploma or GED and nine years of research experience; or a combination of education and related experience.
Preferred Requirements:

Experience with astronomical telescopes
Experience with computer interfaces
Be physically fit and able to work night-time hours;
The ability to work independently and interact effectively with staff.

https://gsu.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?job=24001282

Click the link provided to see the complete job description.

We received a new $3.5M grant from the National Science Foundation to continue supporting the open access program at the...
09/13/2024

We received a new $3.5M grant from the National Science Foundation to continue supporting the open access program at the CHARA Array over the next three years. The program offers 100 nights per year to the broader astronomical community through the NOIRLab Call for Proposals.

New funding for Georgia State's CHARA Array allows astronomers to conduct research through an open-access application system.

09/11/2024

Interested in applying for time on the Array? Join us for a CHARA Proposal Help Session tomorrow, Sep 12th at 4pm EDT/1pm PDT

New images from the CHARA Array reveal that the North Star (also known as Polaris) has a spotted surface:
08/20/2024

New images from the CHARA Array reveal that the North Star (also known as Polaris) has a spotted surface:

High-resolution images obtained with Georgia State University’s CHARA Array show large spots on the surface of Polaris.

Address

Mount Wilson Observatory
Mount Wilson, CA
91023

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The CHARA Array posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Share