Observatory Operation Observatory Operation BasicsBasics

Thomas C. Smith,Thomas C. Smith,

Director, Dark Ridge ObservatoryDirector, Dark Ridge Observatory

(http://www.darkridgeobservatory.org)(http://www.darkridgeobservatory.org)

The ObservatoryThe Observatory

Fundamentally the observatory is the Fundamentally the observatory is the collection of equipment and software collection of equipment and software necessary to perform astronomical necessary to perform astronomical observations and research.observations and research.

In our case we are talking about the In our case we are talking about the physical observatory building and dome, physical observatory building and dome, the telescope, the computer, the CCD the telescope, the computer, the CCD camera, and software for system control camera, and software for system control and processing of image data.and processing of image data.

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The Observatory DomeThe Observatory Dome

Operation of the observatory dome is a matter of Operation of the observatory dome is a matter of opening the dome shutter and coordinating the opening the dome shutter and coordinating the position of the dome in azimuth to correspond to position of the dome in azimuth to correspond to the telescope point.the telescope point.

Cuesta’s dome is electrically operated but Cuesta’s dome is electrically operated but manually position.manually position.

It is imperative that dome operation be It is imperative that dome operation be conducted safely for both personnel and conducted safely for both personnel and equipment protection.equipment protection.

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The TelescopeThe Telescope

The observatory telescope is a Meade 14” The observatory telescope is a Meade 14” LX200GPS f/10 capable of go-to functions LX200GPS f/10 capable of go-to functions and object tracking.and object tracking.

Schmidt- Cassigrain design with a Schmidt- Cassigrain design with a corrector plate figured to remove corrector plate figured to remove aberrations from the spherical primary aberrations from the spherical primary mirror.mirror.

Focal length uncompressed is 3556 mm Focal length uncompressed is 3556 mm (3.56 meter)(3.56 meter)

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The ComputerThe Computer

The computer is used as the system coordinator The computer is used as the system coordinator and enables the telescope and CCD camera to and enables the telescope and CCD camera to operate effectively through software. The operate effectively through software. The computer controls the CCD camera operation computer controls the CCD camera operation and the movements of the telescope from within and the movements of the telescope from within the planetarium software we are using.the planetarium software we are using.

Many auxiliary functions can be provided by the Many auxiliary functions can be provided by the computer including the storage of the CCD computer including the storage of the CCD images taken as well as utilizing peripheral images taken as well as utilizing peripheral devices such as network cards and serial, devices such as network cards and serial, parallel or USB devices.parallel or USB devices.

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The CCD CameraThe CCD Camera

The CCD cameras used will be either the The CCD cameras used will be either the Santa Barbara Instruments Group (SBIG) Santa Barbara Instruments Group (SBIG) ST-402 monochromatic imager, Starlight ST-402 monochromatic imager, Starlight Express one-shot color imager or the Express one-shot color imager or the Meade Lunar Planetary Imager (LPI).Meade Lunar Planetary Imager (LPI).

All three imager models can be used as an All three imager models can be used as an auto-guiding imager but the ST-402 can auto-guiding imager but the ST-402 can not be used as both imager and auto-not be used as both imager and auto-guider concurrently.guider concurrently.

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CCD Camera PhotosCCD Camera Photos

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Starlight Express

SBIG ST-402

Meade LPI

The SoftwareThe Software

For our purposes the software used in For our purposes the software used in conjunction with the SBIG ST-402 CCD conjunction with the SBIG ST-402 CCD imager will be a suite from Software imager will be a suite from Software Bisque called TheSky6 and CCDSoft.Bisque called TheSky6 and CCDSoft.

For the Starlight Express imager the For the Starlight Express imager the software will be AstroArt.software will be AstroArt.

For the Meade LPI Meade’s AutoStar For the Meade LPI Meade’s AutoStar Suite will be used.Suite will be used.

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The ImageThe Image

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The Science and FunThe Science and Fun

With the advent of inexpensive and With the advent of inexpensive and sensitive CCD cameras designed for sensitive CCD cameras designed for astronomical work coupled with the power astronomical work coupled with the power of small optical telescopes, the scientific of small optical telescopes, the scientific community is enjoying a deluge of quality community is enjoying a deluge of quality scientific data.scientific data.

Astrophotography has gained a significant Astrophotography has gained a significant tool in the production of aesthetically tool in the production of aesthetically pleasing and scientifically valuable pleasing and scientifically valuable images.images.

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Dark Ridge ObservatoryDark Ridge Observatory

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Dark Ridge ObservatoryDark Ridge Observatory

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