Research

A $9 million grant from the National Science Foundation will allow Apache Point Observatory (APO) to extend its years of astronomical research and discovery.

NSF awarded the grant funds to the Astrophysical Research Consortium (ARC) for the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) project titled "SDSS-III: Massive Spectroscopic Surveys of the Distant Universe, the Milky Way Galaxy, and Extra-Solar Planetary Systems." New Mexico State University is a member of ARC and operates the observatory through the Department of Astronomy.

"The SDSS III project will provide wonderful research opportunities for our students, staff, and faculty. The four specific focus areas of SDSS III span the range of astronomical studies in which this department is engaged and thus offers opportunity for many within the department," said Jim Murphy, head of the Department of Astronomy.