UPGRADES AND AUTOMATION AT THE VATICAN ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY TELESCOPE (VATT)-Reference-Cited by-同舟云学术

UPGRADES AND AUTOMATION AT THE VATICAN ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY TELESCOPE (VATT)

Published:2019-04-13 Issue: Volume:51 Page:54-57
ISSN:1405-2059
Container-title:Revista Mexicana de Astronomía y Astrofísica Serie de Conferencias
language:
Short-container-title:RMxAC

Author:

Swindell S. R.¹,Johnson C. S.²,Franz M. H.³,Kubanek P.⁴,Duffek K. W.⁵,Gabor P.⁶

Affiliation:

1. Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), Paseo del Bosque s/n, B1900 FWA La Plata, Argentina

2. Facultad de Informática, UNLP, Calles 50 y 120, La Plata, Argentina

3. Facultad de Ingeniería, UNLP, Calles 1 y 47, B1900 TAGLa Plata, Argentina

4. Sede Andina, Universidad Nacional de Río Negro, Mitre 630 (8400) Bariloche, Argentina

5. Member of the Carrera del Investigador Científico y Tecnológico, CONICET, Argentina

6. Instituto de Astrofísica de La Plata (CCT La Plata -CONICET, UNLP), Paseo del Bosque s/n, B1900 FWA La Plata, Argentina

Abstract

The Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope (VATT) is a 1.8m Gregorian telescope with an f/1 primary and an f/9 full system optics. It has been in operation since 1993 and some of its systems are showing their age. Here, we list the completed and planned upgrades for some of the aging systems. We focus on a new secondary controller and high resolution absolute encoders. Our objective is to automate telescope operation. We outline the expanded science potential, especially for surveys and Time Domain Astronomy. Finally, we examine new software that will assist in automation and describe some of the challenges involved in automating VATT.

Publisher

Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico

Link

http://www.astroscu.unam.mx/rmaa/RMxAC..51/PDF/RMxAC..51_articulo13.pdf

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