Air Force Maui Optical and Supercomputing observatory

Air Force Maui Optical and Supercomputing (AMOS) is the name of a astronomical Observatoire attached to the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) located on the island of Maui, with Hawaii (the United States). The observatory undertakes at the same time research and the developments of the project of space monitoring ( Maui Space Surveillance System - MSSS) and in addition, supervises the operations of the high performance computer center ( Maui High Performance Computing Center - MHPCC).

Monitoring system space

This system makes it possible the scientific community to use recent technologies of follow-up of satellite. Also known under the Acronym AMOS, it is regularly implied in observations, and has the particular capacity to project Laser S in the atmosphere. In theory, one can observe the sky all the year, thanks to the relatively stable Climat. A dry, pure air and little light diffused from the surface of the Earth guarantee a visibility of more than 150 km. Based on the observation of double stars, the images are of a precision about the Seconde of arc. Located in the Crater of the Volcano Haleakala (IAU codes 608), now extinct, the observatory is with 3058 meters with the top of the sea level, a Latitude of 20.7°N, and a Longitude of 156.3°W. During its observations, many Astéroïde S was discovered.

Extending on more than 30 years, the evolution of the monitoring system gives a report on various technologies of follow-up of space objects using Télescope S. Actuellement, although its missions are for the majority related to the air force of the United States, the monitoring system combines its glasses with broad opening to receivers Infrarouge/visible Lumière to collect data on the objects close to the Earth or located further in space.

The 3,67 meters broad telescope, called Advanced Electro-Optical System (AEOS), held by the Department of Defense of the the United States, is largest of their telescopes dedicated to the follow-up of the satellites. Heavy of 75 tons, it locates and follows very precisely at the same time the satellites in low orbit and the Missile S ballistics. It can be used into simultaneous by various groups thanks to a system of deviation of the light which projects its image in 7 independent rooms. Associate with it receivers sophisticated such as a system of adaptive Optique, a Radiomètre, a Spectrographe and a camera of the infra-red with large wavelengths.

Computer center of utmost precision

The center is at the Maui Research and Technology Park , with Kihei. Accommodating a broad diversity of users of the Department of Defense, government of the United States, University S and communities commercial, the center gives access to a powerful material, capable of calculations in parallel, supporting advanced software tools, communications with broad band-width and technologies of storage of high efficiency.

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