Bohyunsan Optical Astronomy Observatory (BOAO)
Bohyunsan Optical Astronomy Observatory (BOAO) was established in 1996 with a 1.8 m reflecting telescope, Korea's largest optical instrument. This 1.8 m telescope appears on the back of the 10,000 won bank note to represent Korea’s scientific heritage. A CCD imaging system was developed for observations at the observatory, beginning with a 1k CCD IS in 1996, followed by a 2k CCD IS in 1999 and a 4k CCD IS. In 2003, the high-dispersion Bohyunsan Optical Echelle Spectrograph (BOES) was successfully developed. The BOES, which includes spectropolarimetry functions, is now internationally recognized as the most outstanding high-dispersion spectrograph in its class. In 2008, its capabilities were further upgraded with the addition of the KASI Near-Infrared Camera System (KASINICS), which was developed and installed in the 1.8 m telescope system.
BOAO operates the 1.8 m telescope and three instruments (BOES, KASINICS, and the 4k CCD camera) during the observing season, except for a maintenance period from July to August. BOAO calls for observation proposals twice a year, in May and in October. Please visit the BOAO homepage for information on the observation programs (in Korean). During the observing periods, observations have generally been performed effectively on ~120 nights out of the ~300 scheduled, although not all the observations were photometric. BOAO yearly supports about 50 observing programs from KASI and other institutes and produces the corresponding research results in SCI journals.
BOAO operates the 1.8 m telescope and three instruments (BOES, KASINICS, and the 4k CCD camera) during the observing season, except for a maintenance period from July to August. BOAO calls for observation proposals twice a year, in May and in October. Please visit the BOAO homepage for information on the observation programs (in Korean). During the observing periods, observations have generally been performed effectively on ~120 nights out of the ~300 scheduled, although not all the observations were photometric. BOAO yearly supports about 50 observing programs from KASI and other institutes and produces the corresponding research results in SCI journals.
In addition to the 1.8 m telescope, BOAO also operates the Solar Flare Telescope (SOFT). This is the first solar telescope able to observe activity on the solar surface. Capabilities include monitoring variations in the magnetic field, chromosphere, and photosphere due to sudden solar activity changes such as solar flares, by using the six telescopes in the SOFT program. The data collected will serve as a fundamental database for the space environment and space weather monitoring program.
BOAO also operates the 1 m telescope of Mt. Lemmon Optical Astronomy Observatory (LOAO) in Arizona at a ratio of more than 95% and 220 observation nights yearly, remotely via the network in BOAO in KASI and therefore, one can organize continuous obvervations through the network via the observation scheduling of SOAO, BOAO, and LOAO using the small and medium sized telescopes. Main research topics are monitoring survey of the variable objects and observational study on the stars in the open clusters. Using the 4k CCD camera installed February 2011, wide field observation of 28″.1 x 28.″1 can be carried out at once. LOAO generally supports more than 25 observing programs and publishes the corresponding results in the SCI journals. Additionally, BOAO and LOAO takes part in the corresponding international observing program, respectively.
BOAO Site View
BOAO 1.8 m Telescope