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McDonald: Site Log
Instructions and Update Site Log
You can use the hyperlinks to quickly get to the section of interest or you can scroll down to read them all.
Section: 0. FormSection: 1. Identification of the Ranging System Reference Point (SRP)
Section: 2. Site Location Information
Section: 3. General System Information
Section: 4. Telescope Information
Section: 5. Laser System Information
Section: 6. Receiver System
Section: 7. Tracking Capabilities
Section: 8. Calibration
Section: 9. Time and Frequency Standards
Section: 10. Preprocessing Information
Section: 11. Aircraft Detection
Section: 12. Meteorological Instrumentation
Section: 13. Local Ties, Eccentricities, and Collocation Information
Section: 14. Local Events Possibly Affecting Computed Position
Section: 15. On-Site, Point of Contact Agency Information
Section: 16. Responsible Agency (if different from 15.)
Section: 17. More Information
ILRS Site and System Information Form
International Laser Ranging Service
0. Form
Prepared by (Full Name) : Randall L. Ricklefs
Preparer E-mail : rlr@astro.as.utexas.edu
Date Prepared : 2004/07/01
Report Type : UPDATE
Format Version : 1.0
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1. Identification of the Ranging System Reference Point (SRP)
Site Name : McDonald Observatory / Mt. Fowlkes
IERS DOMES Number : 40442M006
CDP Pad ID : 7080
Subnetwork : NASA
Description : MONUMENT
Monument Description : Standard Brass Disk
Monument Inscription : 7080 1988 NASA GSFC Greenbelt, MD
Mark Description : punched dimple
Date Installed : 1988-01-01
Date Removed : (n/a)
Geologic Characteristic : Tertiary igneous rocks
Additional Information : Tertiary igneous rocks predominately
found on the surface. The influence of
topography on soil formation is
pronounced. Due to extensive erosion,
the soils of hills and mountains are
shallow, whereas the soils of valleys
and plains are deep.
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2. Site Location Information
City or Town : Fort Davis
State or Province : Texas
Country : USA
Tectonic Plate : North American
Approximate Position
X coordinate [m]: -1330021.0
Y coordinate [m]: -5328401.8
Z coordinate [m]: 3236480.7
Latitude [deg]: 30.6802 N
Longitude [deg]: 255.9848 E
Elevation [m]: 2006.2210
Additional Information : (multiple lines)
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3. General System Information
3.01 System Name : McDonald Laser Ranging System (MLRS)
4-Character Code : MDOL
CDP System Number : 24
CDP Occupation Number : 19
Eccentricity to SRP (if Not Identical With SRP)
North [mm]: -0.004 +- 0.002
East [mm]: -0.005 +- 0.002
Up [mm]: 1.756 +- 0.002
Date Measured : 1988-02-10
Date Installed : 1988-02-10
Date Removed : (yyyy-mm-dd)
Additional Information : (multiple lines)
3.02 System Name : McDonald Laser Ranging System (MLRS)
4-Character Code : MDOL
CDP System Number : 24
CDP Occupation Number : 19
Eccentricity to SRP (if Not Identical With SRP)
North [m]: -0.003 +- 0.002
East [m]: -0.006 +- 0.002
Up [m]: 1.763 +- 0.002
Date Measured : 1993-01-29
Date Installed : 1988-02-10
Date Removed : (yyyy-mm-dd)
Additional Information : (multiple lines)
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4. Telescope Information
4.01 Receiving Telescope Type : Coude
Aperture [m]: 0.75
Mount : XY
Xmitting Telescope Type : Coude
Aperture [m]: 0.75
Tracking Camera Type : TV
Model : WV-1550
Manufacturer : Panasonic
Field of View [deg]: 0.025
Minimum Magnitude [mag]: 7
Transmit/Receive Path : COMMON COUDE
Transmit/Receive Switch : rotating disk
Max Slew Rate Az [deg/s]: 3
Max Slew Rate El [deg/s]: 3
Max Used Tracking Rate Az : 0.5416
Max Used Tracking Rate El : 0.5416
Telescope Shelter : hinged, motorized hood
Daylight Filter Type : Spectral filter
Dayl. Filt. Bandwidth [nm]: 0.3, 0.6, 0.10
Adjustable Attenuation : none
Transmit Efficiency : < 0.53
Receive Efficiency : < 0.38
Date Installed : 1981-08-03
Date Removed : (yyyy-mm-dd)
Additional Information : X and y slew rates reported as AZ, EL,
respectively. Telescope xmit and
receive efficiencies were not measured.
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5. Laser System Information
5.01 Laser Type : ND:YAG
Number of Amplifiers : 2
Primary Wavelength [nm]: 1064
Primary Maximum Energy [mJ]: not used for laser ranging
Secondary Wavelength [nm]: 532
Secondary Max. Energy [mJ]: 1500
Xmit Energy Adjustable : YES
Pulse Width (FWHM) [ps]: 200
Max. Repetition Rate [Hz]: 10
Fullw. Beam Divergence ["]: 0-20
Final Beam Diameter [m]: 0.75
Eyesafe : NO
Eyesafe Standard : ANSI 136.1
Date Installed : 1985-02-01
Date Removed : 2003-08-05
Additional Information : divergence is adjustable
5.02 Laser Type : ND:YAG
Number of Amplifiers : 2
Primary Wavelength [nm]: 1064
Primary Maximum Energy [mJ]: not used for laser ranging
Secondary Wavelength [nm]: 532
Secondary Max. Energy [mJ]: 1500
Xmit Energy Adjustable : YES
Pulse Width (FWHM) [ps]: 200
Max. Repetition Rate [Hz]: 10
Fullw. Beam Divergence ["]: 0-20
Final Beam Diameter [m]: 0.75
Eyesafe : NO
Eyesafe Standard : ANSI 136.1
Date Installed : 2003-08-05
Date Removed : (yyyy-mm-dd)
Additional Information : divergence is adjustable.
: Flash lamp converted from krytrons to
: avalanche diodes.
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6. Receiver System
6.01.01 Primary Chain
Wavelength [nm]: 532
Detector Type : MCP
Manufacturer : ITT
Model : F4129F
Quantum Efficiency [%]: 11
Nominal Gain : 1E6
Rise Time [ps]: 350
Jitter (Single PE)[ps]: 100
Field of View ["]: 6,10,12,20,35, selectable
Date Installed : 1990-09-25
Date Removed : (yyyy-mm-dd)
Signal Processing : CFD
Manufacturer : Tennelec
Model : 454
Date Installed : 1986-10-26
Date Removed : (yyyy-mm-dd)
Amplitude Measurement : NO
Return-rate Controlled: YES
Mode of Operation : SINGLE to multi photon
Time of Flight Observ. : EVENT
Manufacturer : EG&G
Model : TD811
Resolution [ps]: 50 psec/channel, 4 channels
Precision [ps]: ~30
Date Installed : 1990-06-06
Date Removed : (yyyy-mm-dd)
Additional Information : The TD811, CMOS Clock, and Timer B
: are used in conjunction.
: Used primarily for artificial satellites
6.02.02 Secondary Chain
Wavelength [nm]: 532
Detector Type : PMT
Manufacturer : Varian
Model : VPM152S.921
Quantum Efficiency [%]: 29
Nominal Gain : unknown
Rise Time [ps]: unknown
Jitter (Single PE)[ps]: unknown
Field of View ["]: 6,10,12,20,35, selectable
Date Installed : 1985-10-dd
Date Removed : (yyyy-mm-dd)
Signal Processing : CFD
Manufacturer : Tennelec
Model : 454
Date Installed : 1986-10-26
Date Removed : (yyyy-mm-dd)
Amplitude Measurement : NO
Return-rate Controlled: YES
Mode of Operation : SINGLE
Time of Flight Observ. : EVENT
Manufacturer : EG&G
Model : TD811
Resolution [ps]: 50 psec/channel, 4 channels
Precision [ps]: ~30
Date Installed : 1990-06-06
Date Removed : (yyyy-mm-dd)
Additional Information : The TD811, CMOS Clock, and Timer B
: are used in conjunction. This chain
: used primarily for lunar and
: some high satellites.
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7. Tracking Capabilities
7.01 Satellites
Very Low Alt (<400 km) : NO
Low Altitude (400-2000) : YES
Lageos : YES
GLONASS : YES
Etalon : YES
GPS : YES
Moon : YES
Avge Pass Switch Time [s]: 2
Average values for Lageos
Single Shot RMS [mm]: 13
# of Obs per NP : 85
Use of Semi-trains : NO
# of Semi-train Tracks : N.A.
Range Gate Width [ns]: 50-20,000
Beam Pointing Accuracy ["]: 10
Angle Encoder Resolution["]: 0.1 incremental; 0.6 absolute
Min. Tracking Elev. [deg]: 20; higher in north due to van
Operation
Months per Year : 12
Days per Week : 7
Hours per Day : 24
Staff per Shift : one
System Shared With : nothing
Time Allocated to SLR [%]: 100
Remotely Controllable : NO
Date First Applicable : 1981-10-01 00:00 UT
Date Last Applicable : (yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm UT)
Additional Information : incremental encoder used for servo system and
: lunar tracking; absolutes used for slr/stars
: Change to one-person crews, 24 hours a day,
: 7 days a week in April 1999.
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8. Calibration
8.01 Calibration Type : REALTIME
Target Location : INTERNAL
Target Type : CORNER CUBE
Target Structure : telescope spider
Target Distance [m]: 2.8608
Date Measured : 1990-01-01
Accuracy (mm) [mm]: 2mm
Verification : 1993 collocation
Return-rate Controlled : YES
Mode of Operation : multi photon; single for moon
Average Cal Interval [min]: length of pass
Single Shot RMS [mm]: 8.5
Edit Criterion 1st Chain : Iterative 3.0 sigma
Edit Criterion 2nd Chain : Iterative 3.0 sigma
Application of Cal Data : AVERAGE
Date Installed : 1990-04-04
Date Removed : (yyyy-mm-dd)
Additional Information : (multiple lines)
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9. Time and Frequency Standards
9.01.01 Frequency Standard Type : QUARTZ
Model : 1210D-01
Manufacturer : Austron
Short Term Stab. [e-12]: <10
Long Term Stab. [e-12]: <10
Time Reference : GPS
Synchronization : manual
Epoch Accuracy [ns]: 100
Date Installed : 1997-08-26
Date Removed : (yyyy-mm-dd)
Additional Information : (multiple lines)
9.02.01 GPS Timing Rcvr Model : TAC
Manufacturer : Totally Accurate Clock
Date Installed : 1994-09-01
Date Removed : (yyyy-mm-dd)
Additional Information : Also have a second TAC
: installed 1999-04-01
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10. Preprocessing Information
10.01 On-site NP Generation : YES
Data Screening : IRV/lunar ephemeris+POLYNOMIAL
Edit Criterion 1st Chain : ITERATIVE 3.0
Edit Criterion 2nd Chain : ITERATIVE 3.0
Upload interval : HOURLY
Date First Applicable : 1991-04-10 00:00
Date Last Applicable : (yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm UT)
Additional Information : (multiple lines)
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11. Aircraft Detection
11.01 Detection Type : RADAR
Date Installed : 1999-03-27
Date Removed : (yyyy-mm-dd)
Additional Information : (multiple lines)
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12. Meteorological Instrumentation
12.01.01 Pressure Sensor Model : 270
Manufacturer : Setra
Recording Interval : four times per hour
Accuracy [mbar]: 0.3
Height Diff to SRP [m]: 0
Date Installed : 1991-07-01
Calibration Interval : as needed
Date Removed : 2003-05-16 20:00 UT
Additional Information : (multiple lines)
12.01.02 Pressure Sensor Model : Met3
Manufacturer : Paroscientific
Recording Interval : four times per hour
Accuracy [mbar]: 0.1
Height Diff to SRP [m]: 0
Date Installed : 2003-05-16 20:00 UT
Calibration Interval : as needed
Date Removed : (yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm UT)
Additional Information : (multiple lines)
12.02.01 Temp Sensor Model : HX93c
Manufacturer : Omega
Recording Interval : four times per hour
Accuracy [deg C]: 0.1
Date Installed : 1996-03-27 00:00 UT
Calibration Interval : as needed
Date Removed : 2003-05-16 20:00 UT
Additional Information : (multiple lines)
12.02.02 Temp Sensor Model : Met3
Manufacturer : Paroscientific
Recording Interval : four times per hour
Accuracy [deg C]: 0.5
Date Installed : 2003-05-16 20:00 UT
Calibration Interval : as needed
Date Removed : (yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm UT)
Additional Information : (multiple lines)
12.03.01 Humidity Sensor Model : HX93c
Manufacturer : Omega
Recording Interval : four times per hour
Accuracy [% rel h]: 3.0
Date Installed : 1996-03-27 00:00 UT
Calibration Interval : as needed
Date Removed : 2003-05-16 20:00 UT
Additional Information : (multiple lines)
12.03.02 Humidity Sensor Model : Met3
Manufacturer : Paroscientific
Recording Interval : four times per hour
Accuracy [% rel h]: 2.0
Date Installed : 2003-05-16 20:00 UT
Calibration Interval : as needed
Date Removed : (yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm UT)
Additional Information : (multiple lines)
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13. Local Ties, Eccentricities, and Collocation Information
13.01 Collocated Permanent Geodetic Systems
GPS : IGS
Date Installed : 1993-06-01
Date Removed : (yyyy-mm-dd)
Additional Information :
GLONASS : NO
Date Installed : (yyyy-mm-dd)
Date Removed : (yyyy-mm-dd)
Additional Information : (multiple lines)
DORIS : NO
Date Installed : (yyyy-mm-dd)
Date Removed : (yyyy-mm-dd)
Additional Information : (multiple lines)
PRARE : NO
Date Installed : (yyyy-mm-dd)
Date Removed : (yyyy-mm-dd)
Additional Information : (multiple lines)
VLBI : YES
Date Installed : see additional info.
Date Removed : (yyyy-mm-dd)
Additional Information : (multiple lines)
Harvard dish was in place when MLRS was
built. Replaced by VLA dish sometime later
(mid 1980's?).
Collocation with NASA mobile VLBI
station MV-4, started 1988-11
Gravimeter : NO
Date Installed : (yyyy-mm-dd)
Date Removed : (yyyy-mm-dd)
Additional Information : Gravimeter visit to McDonald 2.7m in
1970s
13.02.xx Local Ties from the SRP to Other Monuments or Systems on Site
Monument Name :
Instrumentation Type : (GPS/GLONASS/DORIS/PRARE/SLR/VLBI/NONE)
Instrumentation Status : (PERMANENT/MOBILE)
DOMES Number : (XXXXXXXXX)
CDP Number : (XXXX)
Differential Components (ITRS)
dx [m]: (m +- m)
dy [m]: (m +- m)
dz [m]: (m +- m)
Date Measured : (yyyy-mm-dd)
Determined by :
Date Installed : (yyyy-mm-dd)
Date Removed : (yyyy-mm-dd)
Additional Information : (multiple lines)
13.03.01 Eccentricities Between Other Monuments on Site
From: Monument Name : MLRS Mark 7080 1988
DOMES Number : 40442M006
CDP Number : 7080
To: Monument Name : GPS Mark 4011-S
DOMES Number : 40442M012
CDP Number : (XXXX)
Differential Components (ITRS)
dx [m]: 22.394 +- 0.001
dy [m]: 8.481 +- 0.001
dz [m]: 23.406 +- 0.001
Date Measured : 1999-06-01
Determined by : ATSC
Additional Information : Tubro Rogue antenna platform
13.03.02 Eccentricities Between Other Monuments on Site
From: Monument Name : MLRS Mark 7080 1988
DOMES Number : 40442M006
CDP Number : 7080
To: Monument Name : VLBA antenna reference point
DOMES Number : 40442S017
CDP Number : 7613
Differential Components (ITRS)
dx [m]: 6011.941 +- 0.010
dy [m]: -3780.155 +- 0.012
dz [m]: -4518.317 +- 0.010
Date Measured : 1999-06-01
Determined by : ATSC
Additional Information : No value on record for installation
13.03.03 Eccentricities Between Other Monuments on Site
From: Monument Name : MLRS Mark 7080 1988
DOMES Number : 40442M006
CDP Number : 7080
To: Monument Name : 85-foot VLBI ref. point (HRAS 085)
DOMES Number : 40442S003
CDP Number : 7216
Differential Components (ITRS)
dx [m]: 5810.066 +- 0.010
dy [m]: -3621.343 +- 0.012
dz [m]: -4362.423 +- 0.010
Date Measured : 1999-06-01
Determined by : ATSC
Additional Information : (multiple lines)
13.03.04 Eccentricities Between Other Monuments on Site
From: Monument Name : MLRS Mark 7080 1988
DOMES Number : 40442M006
CDP Number : 7080
To: Monument Name : Mobile VLBI and SLR Mark 7850 1988
DOMES Number : 40442M008
CDP Number : 7850
Differential Components (ITRS)
dx [m]: 12.873 +- 0.001
dy [m]: 10.276 +- 0.001
dz [m]: 21.922 +- 0.001
Date Measured : 1999-06-01
Determined by : ATSC
Additional Information : (multiple lines)
13.03.05 Eccentricities Between Other Monuments on Site
From: Monument Name : MLRS Mark 7080 1988
DOMES Number : 40442M006
CDP Number : 7080
To: Monument Name : SLR Mark 7851
DOMES Number : 40442M011
CDP Number : 7851
Differential Components (ITRS)
dx [m]: 11.596 +- 0.001
dy [m]: 10.896 +- 0.001
dz [m]: 22.433 +- 0.001
Date Measured : 1999-06-01
Determined by : ATSC
Additional Information : (multiple lines)
13.03.06 Eccentricities Between Other Monuments on Site
From: Monument Name : MLRS Mark 7080 1988
DOMES Number : 40442M006
CDP Number : 7080
To: Monument Name : LLR McDonald 2
DOMES Number : 40442S002
CDP Number : 7206
Differential Components (ITRS)
dx [m]: -760.232 +- 0.003
dy [m]: -353.791 +- 0.007
dz [m]: -783.181 +- 0.005
Date Measured : 1999-06-01
Determined by : ATSC
Additional Information : (multiple lines)
13.03.07 Eccentricities Between Other Monuments on Site
From: Monument Name : MLRS Mark 7080 1988
DOMES Number : 40442M006
CDP Number : 7080
To: Monument Name : MLRS, McDonald, TLRS-1 standard NASA disk
DOMES Number : 40442M001/40222M005
CDP Number : 7086/7885
Differential Components (ITRS)
dx [m]: -104.329 +- 0.001
dy [m]: -124.770 +- 0.001
dz [m]: -330.563 +- 0.001
Date Measured : 1999-06-01
Determined by : ATSC
Additional Information : DOMES 40442M001 and 40222M005
refer to the same marker
CDP number 7086 and 7885
also refer to the same marker
13.03.08 Eccentricities Between Other Monuments on Site
From: Monument Name : MLRS Mark 7080 1988
DOMES Number : 40442M006
CDP Number : 7080
To: Monument Name : Mobile VLBI mark (Harvard RM 5 1977)
DOMES Number : 40442M009
CDP Number : 7900
Differential Components (ITRS)
dx [m]: 5793.092 +- 0.010
dy [m]: -3661.249 +- 0.012
dz [m]: -4457.763 +- 0.010
Date Measured : 1999-06-01
Determined by : ATSC
Additional Information : (multiple lines)
13.03.09 Eccentricities Between Other Monuments on Site
From: Monument Name : MLRS Mark 7080 1988
DOMES Number : 40442M006
CDP Number : 7080
To: Monument Name : SLR Mark 7897
DOMES Number : 40442M010
CDP Number : 7897
Differential Components (ITRS)
dx [m]: -779.689 +- 0.003
dy [m]: -322.840 +- 0.007
dz [m]: -776.535 +- 0.005
Date Measured : 1999-06-01
Determined by : ATSC
Additional Information : NAIL IN PAVEMENT, used
for TLRS-1
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14. Local Events Possibly Affecting Computed Position
14.xx Date : (yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm UT)
Event : (EARTHQUAKE/CONSTRUCTION/etc)
Additional Information : (multiple lines)
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15. On-Site, Point of Contact Agency Information
Agency : MLRS/ McDonald Observatory
Mailing Address : HC 75 Box 1337 MCD
: Fort Davis
: TX 79734, USA
Primary Contact
Contact Name : Jerry Wiant
Telephone (primary) : (432) 426-3668
Telephone (secondary) : (432) 426-3263
Fax : (432) 426-4177
E-mail : jrw@astro.as.utexas.edu
Secondary Contact
Contact Name : Windy Williams
Telephone (primary) : (432) 426-3668
Telephone (secondary) : (432) 426-3263
Fax : (432) 426-4177
E-mail :
Additional Information : (multiple lines)
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16. Responsible Agency (if different from 15.)
Agency : University of Texas/CSR
Mailing Address : Univ. of TX at Austin/CSR
: 3925 W. Braker Lane, Suite 200
: Austin, TX 78759
Primary Contact
Contact Name : Peter Shelus
Telephone (primary) : (512) 471-7599
Telephone (secondary) : (512) 471-5573
Fax : (512) 471-3570
E-mail : pjs@astro.as.utexas.edu
Secondary Contact
Contact Name : Randall Ricklefs
Telephone (primary) : (512) 471-8121
Telephone (secondary) : (512) 471-5573
Fax : (512) 471-3570
E-mail : ricklefs@csr.utexas.edu
Additional Information : (multiple lines)
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17. More Information
URL for More Information : http://www.csr.utexas.edu/mlrs/mlrs.html
Hardcopy on File
Site Map : YES
Site Diagram : YES
Horizon Mask : YES
Monument Description : YES
Site Pictures : YES
Additional Information : (multiple lines)
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