The Magdalena Ridge Observatory -- Operations and Progress

E. Ryan and M. Creech-Eakman (MRO/NMT)

This two-part update is to let the local community know about recent progress with the NMT MRO facility, which includes both a 2.4m fast-tracking telescope and an optical interferometer. The MRO 2.4m telescope had first light in October, 2006 and is now an operational facility at NMT. The 2.4m Observatory Director, Eileen Ryan, is overseeing two large NASA projects currently using about 45% of the telescope's time, and two new instruments are expected this fall. The MRO Interferometer has completed the facilities on the Ridge, recently ordered telescopes, and is aiming for first fringes in late 2010. Many subsystems are under development and we present brief updates as to their status. Further, Michelle Creech-Eakman, MROI Project Scientist, is deploying Scientific Working Groups to begin detailing the observing lists during Scientific Commissioning. Both facilities are looking for interested observers and collaborators, and can support a wide variety of science topics from solar system studies to extragalactic research.