On Sky
Today marks to launch of a brand new observing interface for LCOGT network of telescopes. It has been designed for education users and is called On Sky. Earlier this year the whole LCOGT network was officially launched with the 1-meter and 2-meter telescopes all using the same operating system software, for the first time. The previous education interface, called Real-Time Interface or RTI, was retired at the same, because it was not compatible with our new telescope software.
Whilst developing On Sky we have consulted with many seasoned users (particularly Faulkes Telescope Project) of the old RTI to create an interface which not only leverages all features of the new LCOGT software and adaptive scheduler, but also provides the essentials of the real time experience that the RTI used to provide.
Real time experience
The real power of On Sky is in the On Sky viewer. By booking an observing slot, you can schedule your observations at a particular observing site in our global network and have them observed at a specified date and time. Once you have booked your slot, you add your observations into it, up to 4 weeks in advance. You need to book your slot and add observation requests into it at least 1 hour in advance of your session.
Making observation requests
One of the major changes to the observing interface is that all observations are queue scheduled. This is to take advantage of the LCOGT adaptive scheduler. Each request for observations gets sent to the scheduler, which automatically analyses all requests from everyone using LCOGT, then schedules each request to make most efficient use of the network.
By making observation requests this way, you can choose if you want to book a slot for your observations, or let the scheduler decide the best time to observe them in the next 24 hour, 1 or 2 week period.
When planning your observations, we have provided suggestions for what to observe, from a database of 500 spectacular night sky objects. We show you what type of astronomical object each is and include fuller descriptions to help you decide. Many have suggested exposure times too.
Real time slot
At the time of your slot, log into your account and choose the slot from the “Upcoming slots” section of the home page. You will then be able to view your observations being made in real time.
Before your observations start you can see the exact time that the scheduler has chosen for your observations within your slot. This may change a little before hand as the scheduler is continuously looking for the best way to pack everyone’s observations together efficiently.
While your observations progress you will see webcams on each telescope continuously updating. Your observations will appear in the miniature Virtual Sky. Eventually high quality images will appear once the observing has completed.
Because there is a lot of time when the telescopes will be carefully collecting photons, we have included interesting facts about astronomy that will hopefully provide a little distraction.
Education partners
Working with organisations in many parts of the World, we are piloting the use of On Sky to help inspire people to use astronomy as an educational tool. While we still have limited observing time at present, we are very excited to find out what these groups will be doing with On Sky and seeing the projects they will be running.
