The University of Iowa Automated Telescope Facility
by E.C. Downey and R.L. Mutel (1995),
presented at the Fifth Annual Conference on Astronomical Data Analysis
Software and Systems, published in Astronomical Data Analysis Software
and Systems V, A.S.P. Conference Series, Vol. 101, 1996, George H.
Jacoby and Jeannette Barnes, eds., p. 380.
The University of Iowa Automated Telescope Facility
E.C. Downey and R.L. Mutel
University of Iowa
We describe a CCD-based automated telescope system in operation at the
University of Iowa. A description of the basic hardware and software is
presented followed by walk-throughs from the perspectives of a typical
user and telescope operator. The system includes a software
architecture which emphasizes portability. Observers initiate observing
programs using a simple free-format scripting language for preparing
observing requests. Users may specify source names using built-in
catalogs (e.g. Messier, NGC, SAO, BS), or for solar system objects, by
name or number (e.g. Neptune, 4 Vesta). The schedule file describes
sources, durations, filters and other observing parameters. A telescope
scheduling program reads all outstanding requests from input scripts
generated by users. It generates an ordered observing list for a given
night based on priority, transit time, unless an explicit LST start
time is requested. A telescope control daemon then reads the sorted
schedule file and issues commands to the hardware control daemons. A
monitor and control program allows observers to monitor telescope and
camera status and (optionally) provides manual control for diagnostic
testing. All CCD images all calibrated by default and pattern matched
to the Guide Star Catalog, with accurate WCS coordinates written to the
FITS header. Additional post-processing tools include an interactive
image display and analysis program which supports differential and
absolute photometry as well as sub-pixel astrometry; batch tools to
automate supernova searches and the generation of asteroid and variable
star light curves, and a stand-alone WCS calibration tool. Additional
details are available at the WWW site
http://inferno.physics.uiowa.edu.
[WCSTools]
[WCSTools paper]