September 2014:
New Renishaw encoders were added to the Owl 16 inch telescope. These allow the control software to compensate for all errors associated with the gearing and mechanical irregularities.
The focus mechanism was upgraded with an anti backlash lead screw and temperature sensor.
A off axis guider was added to the SETI photometer.
Equipment was added to synchronize the dome rotation with the telescope position.
New control station furniture was added.
October 2014:
A new mechanism for controlling the test flasher on the SETI device has been designed and is in fabrication.
November 2014:
A new baffle assembly is in fabrication. This is designed to allow a larger fully illuminated field of view without vignetting.
This is needed to effectively use a new larger off axis guider.
August 2015:
The author gave a presentation and submitted a paper to the SAS 2015 Symposium held in Ontario, CA.
The presentation touched on the history of SETI and the Optical SETI activities at the Owl Observatory. This presentation is now available on the SAS website. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuvRbG1bi-o&feature=youtu.be&app=desktop
October 2015:
The Owl Observatory is now a member of SETI International's Global Group of Optical SETI Observatories.
April 2016:
SETI International is now METI International. The mission is the same despite the name change.
September 2016:
A 5 inch refractor was installed on the Owl 16 inch telescope replacing the small finder previously used.
HD164595 was extensively studied with negative results over a two week period. There were reports of radio signals being received from this star although these were later attributed to a Soviet satellite built decades ago.
November 2016:
Construction of CATNIP 3 is now in an advanced stage with completion slated for May 2017. CATNIP 3 will reduce the detection threshold by at least a factor of 2 over the existing instrument. In addition it is equipped with automated features that will mesh well with the warm control room already under construction at the Owl Observatory. First light is expected in June 2017.
September 2017:
CATNIP 3 had first light on September 7. This new instrument has increased spectral response and higher sensitivity due to detectors with increased quantum efficiency. CATNIP 3 is also fully automated and now is operated from the recently commissioned warm control room. A CCD camera acquires the target star by means of a remotely controlled rotating mirror. The camera and increased sensitivity now allows stars down to 13 mag to be observed. This opens the door to many M type stars that now are considered possible candidates for intelligent life.
June 2018:
The author will give a new presentation to the SAS in Ontario, CA on June 15. This will be an update to an earlier presentation and will
cover numerous improvements and advancements in the CATNIP 3 optical SETI system.
February 2020
Soon there will be an Owl Observatory West in Northern New Mexico. A new telescope is in the final stage of fabrication and an observatory will be constructed beginning in April 2020. More information will follow soon.
September 2020
The Owl West observatory is approximately 50% complete as of this date. The next milestone is the delivery and installation of the 12.5 foot Ash Dome. This is scheduled for October 15.