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Apache Point
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Apache Point Contact:
| Agency | Astrophysics Research Consortium |
| Mailing Address | 2001 Apache Point Road; Sunspot NM, 88349-0059 |
| Primary Contact | |
| Contact Name | Nancy Chanover |
| Telephone (primary) | |
| Telephone (secondary) | |
| Fax | |
| nchanove@nmsu.edu | |
| Secondary Contact | |
| Contact Name | William Ketzeback |
| Telephone (primary) | 575-437-0954 |
| Telephone (secondary) | |
| Fax | |
| bketzeba@apo.nmsu.edu | |
Apache Point Coordinates:
Approximate Position:
| X coordinate | [m] | |
| Y coordinate | [m] | |
| Z coordinate | [m] | |
| Latitude | [deg] | 32.780361 N |
| Longitude | [deg] | 105.820417 W |
| Elevation | [m] | 2788 |
| Survey Method | ||
| Date Measured | ||
| Additional Information | ||
Apache Point News:
Local Events:
No local events found.
SLRMail Messages:
No SLRMail mesages found.Apache Point Link:
Apache Point: 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. Form
Section: 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) : Evan Hoffman
Preparer E-mail : evan.d.hoffman@nasa.gov
Date Prepared : 2024-09-19
Report Type : UPDATE
Site Log Format Version : 2.0
Site Log Revision :
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1. Identification of the Ranging System Reference Point (SRP)
Site Name : APOLLO
IERS DOMES Number : 49447S001
CDP Pad ID : 7045
Subnetwork : N/A
Description : AZ EL INTERSECT
Monument Description : N/A
Monument Inscription : N/A
Mark Description : N/A
Date Installed : N.A.
Date Removed : N.A.
Geologic Characteristic : BEDROCK
Additional Information : Axis intersection of 3.5 m APO telescope
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2. Site Location Information
City or Town : Sunspot
State or Province : NM
Country : USA
Tectonic Plate :
Local Time (UTC +/- hours) :
Approximate Position
X coordinate [m]:
Y coordinate [m]:
Z coordinate [m]:
Latitude [deg]: 32.780361 N
Longitude [deg]: 105.820417 W
Elevation [m]: 2788
Survey Method :
Date Measured :
Additional Information :
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3. General System Information
3.01 System Name : APOLLO
4-Character Code : APOL
CDP System Number : 95
CDP Occupation Number : 01
Eccentricity to SRP (if Not Identical With SRP)
North [m]: N.A.
East [m]: N.A.
Up [m]: N.A.
Date Measured : N.A.
Date Installed : 2005-10-15
Date Removed : N.A.
Additional Information :
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4. Telescope Information
4.01 Receiving Telescope Type : FOLDED RITCHE-CHRETIEN
Aperture [m]: 3.5
Mount : AZ-EL
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Xmitting Telescope Type : FOLDED RITCHE-CHRETIEN
Aperture [m]: 3.5
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Tracking Camera Type : CCD
Model : STV
Manufacturer : SBIG
Field of View [deg]: 0.011
Minimum Magnitude [mag]: 13
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Transmit/Receive Path : COMMON BENT CASSEGRAIN
Transmit/Receive Switch : ROTATING MIRROR
Max Slew Rate Az [deg/s]: 2.0
Max Slew Rate El [deg/s]: 2.0
Max Used Tracking Rate Az : 1.5
Max Used Tracking Rate El : 1.5
Telescope Shelter : DOME
Daylight Filter Type : N/A
Dayl. Filt. Bandwidth [nm]: N.A.
Adjustable Attenuation : NO
Adjustable Field of View :
Transmit Efficiency : 0.6
Receive Efficiency : 0.4
Date Installed : 2005-10-15
Date Removed :
Additional Information :
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5. Laser System Information
5.01 Laser Type : ND:YAG
Model :
Manufacturer :
Number of Amplifiers : 1
Primary Wavelength [nm]: 532
Primary Maximum Energy [mJ]: 115
Secondary Wavelength [nm]:
Secondary Max. Energy [mJ]:
Xmit Energy Adjustable : NO
Additional Information :
Pulse Width (FWHM) [ps]: 100
Max. Repetition Rate [Hz]: 20
Fullw. Beam Divergence ["]: 1.0
Theoretical Beam Div :
Measured Beam Div :
Method Used :
Additional Information :
Final Beam Diameter [m]: 2.5
Eyesafe : NO
Eyesafe Standard : ANSI 136.1
Polarization on Exit :
Laser Fire Control :
Laser Energy Monitor :
Start Diode Type :
Manufactorer :
Model :
Quantum Efficiency [%]:
Rise/Fall Time [ps]:
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Signal Processing :
Manufacturer :
Model :
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Additional Information :
Date Installed : 2005-10-15
Date Removed :
Additional Information :
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6. Receiver System
6.01.01 Primary Chain
Wavelength [nm]: 532
Detector Type : SPAD ARRAY
Manufacturer : Lincoln Lab
Model : 4x4 prototype
Quantum Efficiency [%]: 30
Nominal Gain : N.A.
Rise Time [ps]: 500
Jitter (Single PE)[ps]: 50
Field of View Diam ["]: 1.4
Date Installed : 2005-10-15
Date Removed :
Amplifier Type :
Manufacturer :
Model :
Gain :
Bandwidth :
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Additional Information:
Signal Processing : Threshold crossing
Manufacturer : UCSD
Model : custom
Date Installed : 2005-10-15
Date Removed :
Amplitude Measurement : YES
Return-Rate Controlled: NO
Mode of Operation : MULTIPLE via SINGLE photon elements
Additional Information:
Time of Flight Observ. : clock count plus TDC
Manufacturer : UCSD/UW/Phillips
Model : custom/7186H
Resolution [ps]: 25
Precision [ps]: 13
Date Installed : 2005-10-15
Date Removed :
Additional Information : Geiger mode;
: FOV: 0.35 per pixel, 1.4 for array;
: Amplitude:`via multiple elements`
: Optical element diameter: 30 micron
6.02.01 Secondary Chain
Wavelength [nm]:
Detector Type :
Manufacturer :
Model :
Quantum Efficiency [%]:
Nominal Gain :
Rise Time [ps]:
Jitter (Single PE)[ps]:
Field of View Diam ["]:
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Amplifier Type :
Manufacturer :
Model :
Gain :
Bandwidth :
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Additional Information:
Signal Processing :
Manufacturer :
Model :
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Amplitude Measurement :
Return-Rate Controlled:
Mode of Operation :
Additional Information:
Time of Flight Observ. :
Manufacturer :
Model :
Resolution [ps]:
Precision [ps]:
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Additional Information :
6.03.01 Tertiary Chain
Wavelength [nm]:
Detector Type :
Manufacturer :
Model :
Quantum Efficiency [%]:
Nominal Gain :
Rise Time [ps]:
Jitter (Single PE)[ps]:
Field of View Diam ["]:
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Amplifier Type :
Manufacturer :
Model :
Gain :
Bandwidth :
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Additional Information:
Signal Processing :
Manufacturer :
Model :
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Amplitude Measurement :
Return-Rate Controlled:
Mode of Operation :
Additional Information:
Time of Flight Observ. :
Manufacturer :
Model :
Resolution [ps]:
Precision [ps]:
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Additional Information :
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7. Tracking Capabilities
7.01 Satellites
Very Low Alt (<400 km) : NO
Low Altitude (400-2000) : NO
LAGEOS/LARES : NO
GLONASS : NO
Etalon : NO
GNSS : NO
Geosynchronous :
Moon : YES
Ave. Pass Switch Time [s]: N.A.
Average values for LAGEOS
Single Shot RMS [mm]: N.A.
# of Obs per NP : N.A.
Use of Semi-trains : N.A.
# of Semi-train Tracks : N.A.
Range Gate Width [ns]: 100
Beam Pointing Accuracy ["]: 0.5
Angle Encoder Resolution["]: 0.01
Min. Tracking Elev. [deg]: 15
Laser Polarization @emitter:
Operation
Months per Year : 12
Days per Week : 2
Hours per Day : 1
Staff per Shift : N.A.
System Shared With : TELESCOPE SHARED WITH ASTRONOMERS
Time Allocated to SLR [%]: 0
Remotely Controllable : YES
Tracking Restrictions
Go/No-go flag :
Satellite Verification :
Date Verified :
Maximum elevation :
Satellite Verification :
Date Verified :
Pass segments :
Satellite Verification :
Date Verified :
Schedule segments :
Satellite Verification :
Date Verified :
Maximum laser power limit:
Satellite Verification :
Date Verified :
Date First Applicable : 2005-10-15 00:00 UT
Date Last Applicable :
Additional Information : Satellite: have capability but haven`t tried
: LLR ON
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8. Calibration
8.01 Calibration Type : REALTIME
Target Location : INTERNAL
Target Type : CORNER CUBE
Target Structure : ATTACHED TO SECONDARY MIRROR OF TELESCOPE
Number of Targets :
Target Distance(s) [m]: 4.5856
Date Measured : 2005-10-15
Accuracy [mm]: 1
Verification : theodolite
Return-Rate Controlled : YES
Eye-Safe Method :
Additional Information :
Mode of Operation : MULTI PHOTON
Calibration performed : 5
Single Shot RMS [mm]: 15
Edit Criterion 1st Chain : N.A.
Edit Criterion 2nd Chain : N.A.
Application of Cal Data : FUNCTIONAL FIT TO PROFILE
Date Installed : 2006-03-15
Date Removed :
Additional Information : Mode of Operation: "SINGLE per element,
: MULTIPLE across ARRAY"
:
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9. Time and Frequency Standards
9.01.01 Frequency Standard Type : QUARTZ
Model : XL-DC
Manufacturer : SYMMETRICOM
Short Term Stab. [e-12]: 4
Long Term Stab. [e-12]: 1
Time Reference : GPS
Synchronization : GPS
Epoch Accuracy [ns]: 40
Date Installed : 2005-10-15
Date Removed :
Additional Information : Long term stability: <1
9.02.01 GNSS Timing Rcvr Model : XL-DC
Manufacturer : SYMMETRICOM
Date Installed : 2005-10-15
Date Removed :
Additional Information :
9.03.01 One-way System Calibration
Date performed :
Direction Calibrated :
Additional Information :
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10. Preprocessing Information
10.01 On-site NP Generation : NO
Data Screening : CUSTOM/COMPLICATED
Return-Rate Rejection :
Edit Criterion 1st Chain : CUSTOM/COMPLICATED
Edit Criterion 2nd Chain : CUSTOM/COMPLICATED
Upload interval : N/A
Date First Applicable : 2006-04-06 00:00 UT
Date Last Applicable :
Additional Information :
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11. Aircraft Detection
11.01 Detection Type : TBAD
Manufacturer/Provider : Tom Murphy
Automatic Laser Shutoff : Blocks beam path
Alarms Recorded :
Hazard Distance [km]:
Date Installed : 2005-10-15
Date Removed :
Additional Information : System built by Tom Murphy.
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12. Meteorological Instrumentation
12.01.01 Pressure Sensor Model : Setra 470 600 - 1100 Mbar unit
Manufacturer : Setra
Recording Interval : Once per minute
Accuracy [mbar]: .1
Height Diff to SRP [m]:
Distance from SRP [m]:
Date Installed :
Calibration Interval :
Date Removed :
Additional Information : Apache Point site instrument, located on the
: IL in the enclosure controller, samples the
: outside air pressure under the deck of the
: moving portion of the enclosure.
:
: For the purposes of forming a normal point,
: once-per-minute measurements are averaged.
12.02.01 Temp Sensor Model : TSL Model 1088 (s/n 001)
Manufacturer : Technical Services Laboratory
Recording Interval : Once per minute
Accuracy [deg C]: .56
Date Installed :
Calibration Interval :
Date Removed :
Additional Information : Apache Point site instrument, located on the
: outside catwalk of the Enclosure in front of
: the telescope.
:
: For the purposes of forming a normal point,
: once-per-minute measurements are averaged.
12.03.01 Humidity Sensor Model : TSL Model 1088 (s/n 001)
Manufacturer : Technical Services Laboratory
Recording Interval : Once per minute
Accuracy [% rel h]: 0.01
Date Installed :
Calibration Interval :
Date Removed :
Additional Information : Apache Point site instrument, located on the
: outside catwalk of the Enclosure in front of
: the telescope.
:
: For the purposes of forming a normal point,
: once-per-minute measurements are averaged.
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13. Local Ties, Eccentricities, and Collocation Information
13.01 Collocated Permanent Geodetic Systems
13.01.01.01 GNSS : NO
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Additional Info :
13.01.01.02 GNSS : NO
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Additional Info :
13.01.02.01 DORIS : NO
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Additional Info :
13.01.03.01 PRARE : NO
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Additional Info :
13.01.04.01 VLBI : NO
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Additional Info :
13.01.05.01 Gravimeter : SUPERCONDUCTING
Date Installed : 2009-04-01
Date Removed :
Additional Info : Not in use, but not removed yet.
13.01.06.01 Other SLR :
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Additional Info :
13.02.01.01 Local Ties from the SRP to Other Monuments or Systems on Site
Monument Name :
Instrumentation Type : NONE
Instrumentation Status :
DOMES Number :
CDP Number :
Differential Components (ITRS)
dx [m]:
dy [m]:
dz [m]:
Date Measured :
Determined by :
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Additional Information :
13.03.01.01 Eccentricities Between Other Monuments on Site
From: Monument Name :
DOMES Number :
CDP Number :
To: Monument Name :
DOMES Number :
CDP Number :
Differential Components (ITRS)
dx [m]:
dy [m]:
dz [m]:
Date Measured :
Determined by :
Additional Information :
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14. Local Events Possibly Affecting Computed Position
14.01 Date :
Event :
Additional Information :
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15. On-Site, Point of Contact Agency Information
Agency : Astrophysics Research Consortium
Mailing Address : 2001 Apache Point Road;
: Sunspot NM, 88349-0059
Website :
Primary Contact
Contact Name : Nancy Chanover
Telephone (primary) :
Telephone (secondary) :
Fax :
E-mail : nchanove@nmsu.edu
Secondary Contact
Contact Name : Russet McMillan
Telephone (primary) : 575-437-6822
Telephone (secondary) :
Fax : 575-434-5555
E-mail : mcmillan@apo.nmsu.edu
Tertiary Contact
Contact Name : William Ketzeback
Telephone (primary) : 575-437-0954
Telephone (secondary) :
Fax :
E-mail : bketzeba@apo.nmsu.edu
Additional Information :
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16. Responsible Agency (if different from 15.)
Agency : NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Mailing Address : 8800 Greenbelt Rd,
: Greenbelt, MD 20771
: United States
Primary Contact
Contact Name : Stephen Merkowitz
Telephone (primary) : 301.286.9412
Telephone (secondary) :
Fax :
E-mail : stephen.m.merkowitz@nasa.gov
Secondary Contact
Contact Name : Evan Hoffman
Telephone (primary) : 301.286.1394
Telephone (secondary) :
Fax :
E-mail : evan.d.hoffman@nasa.gov
Additional Information :
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17. More Information
URL for More Information : https://space-geodesy.nasa.gov/
: NSGN/sites/Apache_Point/Apache_Point.html
Hardcopy on File
Site Map : NO
Site Diagram : NO
Horizon Mask : NO
Monument Description : NO
Site Pictures : YES
Additional Information :
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Apache Point: Meteorological data
Note: For a larger view, please select a thumbnail.
| Type | Since 2012 | Monthly Average Offset |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature |  |
 |
Humidity |  |
 |
| Pressure |  |
 |
Apache Point: LAGEOS performance
Note: For a larger view, please select a thumbnail.
| type | Since 2012 | Monthly average |
|---|---|---|
| RMS |  |
 |
| Cal RMS |  |
|
| Sys Dly |  |
 |
| Obs per NPT |
 |
 |
| FR Obs per Pass |
 |
 |
Apache Point: 7-day tracking information
Click on a plot to view a larger image.
| Days ago | |
|---|---|
| 1 |  |
| 2 |  |
| 3 |  |
| 4 |  |
| 5 |  |
| 6 |  |
| 7 |  |
Apache Point: Satellite Information (as a function of local time and satellite range)
Click on a plot to view a larger image.
| satellite | local time | range | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| npt rms | numFR /npt | npt rms | numFR /npt |
|
| Ajisai 30 sec |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Cryosat-2 15 sec |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Etalon-1 300 sec |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Etalon-2 300 sec |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Galileo-102 300 sec |
 |
 |
|
 |
| Galileo-202 300 sec |
 |
 |
|
 |
| Galileo-209 300 sec |
 |
 |
|
 |
| Galileo-210 300 sec |
 |
 |
|
 |
| GLONASS-131 300 sec |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| GLONASS-134 300 sec |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| GLONASS-138 300 sec |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| GLONASS-139 300 sec |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| GRACE-FO-1 5 sec |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| GRACE-FO-2 5 sec |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Jason-3 15 sec |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| LAGEOS-1 120 sec |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| LAGEOS-2 120 sec |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| LARES 30 sec |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Starlette 30 sec |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Stella 30 sec |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Swarm-A 5 sec |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Swarm-B 5 sec |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Swarm-C 5 sec |
 |
 |
 |
 |
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