Sedgwick
A new back-end instrumentation package is now installed at the Byrne Observatory at Sedgwick Reserve (BOS). The instrument currently has a SBIG 6303 science CCD with an eight position filter wheel. To precisely steer the telescope there are two off axis independently focusing glycol cooled SBIG autoguiders. A remotely controlled internal stage easily directs the star light to either the eyepiece for local viewing, the science CCD, or the eventually spectrograph fiber feed. The spectrograph is in development at the moment back at LCO, and the fiber feed that sends the star light down one end of the fiber (which includes it own autoguider) is in being tested now. The instrument also has an automated ‘dust cover’ at the top which is closed at end of each night to prevent dust and contaminants from settling in the instrument. There is also a photometric shutter at the bottom that precisely controls the length of each exposure for the science CCD. The instrument install also included a new declination energy chain that routes all the cables through the axis and eliminates dangling cables underneath.
The new back-end makes switching between the CCD cameras and the eyepieces a simple operation with just a click of a button, without having to manually remove, swap out, and reattach each instrument or eyepiece. Over the past couple of weeks the back-end has been installed and is currently undergoing commissioning. The next upgrade at the observatory will be a panel upgrade at which time the SBIG science CCD will be replaced with a larger format Merope CCD (the same that are on FTN and FTS). New panel with allow the use of newly developed software that provides seamless integration of all the components of the instrument package.
The observatory is proving to be very popular with local audiences, with about 9 star parties already this year and 3 more scheduled between now and mid-November. These parties have included a wide range of visitors including elementary school children on overnight field trips, auctioned events raising money for local organizations such as Direct Relief International and Sedgwick Reserve, outings for Santa Barbara astronomy clubs, and of course, the annual LCOGT party.
Back Parking Lot at Santa Barbara
The parking lot behind the LCOGT offices in Santa Barbara is starting to look like a full-on observatory site. There is a dome housing a 1.0m and an Aqawan with 2 x 0.4m all undergoing testing. A site services building (SSB) is on site, which is where all the computers and servers which will do everything from running the telescopes to performing data reductions. A new feature is the AqaMin, which houses an air compressor unit. Safety is a top priority, with systems in place to try and prevent injury, similar to what would be deployed at all our sites (but as always, nothing beats being aware of the surroundings and using common sense).
Several small groups have come through LCOGT offices for tours, and the highlight is always being inside the 1.0m dome while peaking inside the Aqawan (it is very crowded with two telescopes in there!) on their way. If they are lucky, they may even get to watch the telescope move and the dome open and spin around.
The back parking lot will serve as a test site for nearly all the 0.4m and 1.0m telescopes that are built. These telescopes will undergo several tests to show whether they are mechanically reliable, electrically stable, and software ready before being deployed.
Inside the Milky Way
On Sunday evening, October 24th, the National Geographic Channel will televise “Inside the Milky Way.” This program features many astronomers and cosmologists, including one of our own, Andy Howell with footage from around LCOGT. More information is on their website: http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/episode/inside-the-milky-way-4605/Overview.
