Download Remote Observing at the Dark Ridge Observatory: And Beyond…

Remote Observing at the
Dark Ridge Observatory
And Beyond…
Thomas C. Smith, Director, Dark Ridge Observatory
STAR 2008, San Luis Obispo, California
A Statement of Fact
Students that utilize remote
observatories to conduct their
scientific research are often at
the mercy and whims of the
observatory owner/operator
What is the Problem
In today’s growing arsenal of
remote observatories, many
have provided the use of their
equipment for both research and
astrophotography but for most
remote sites the support ends
there
So What’s Different
At the Dark Ridge Observatory
students are made a part of the
entire observatory and observing
process including data reduction,
analysis and incorporation into
scientific papers in both refereed and
non-refereed scientific journals
A Bit More Detail
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At the Dark Ridge Observatory the
student is guided through the
nuances of the host equipment to
achieve scientific accuracy for their
measurements
This process provides mentoring for
the student in areas of data
collection, reduction and
understanding of the use of
astronomical images in science
Introduction
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Three fall semesters in 2005/6/7 (Cuesta
Community College and the California
Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo,
California)
Hands-on observations made at the Dark
Ridge Observatory in Atascadero, CA.
Remote observations made at the Dark
Ridge Observatory in Weed, New Mexico
Having “the” expert on the equipment a
major part of the science project
Dark Ridge Observatory
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The Dark Ridge Observatory (DRO) is now
located in the Sacramento Mountains of
southeastern New Mexico
Elevation 7100 feet (2164 meters)
Winter/Spring best with monsoon-like
conditions in the summer and early fall
Clear night seeing (0.7 – 2.0 arc-seconds
typical, early measurements of a prototype
DIMM seeing monitor)
501(c)(3) non-profit observatory utilizing
the equipment and facilities of the Dark
Ridge Ranch
DRO (continued)
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Early vision of the observatory
phase one.
The proposed rendition looking at phase 1 of the
DRO construction effort.
DRO (continued)
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Current construction progress.
View out the control room window to the
first of three roll-off observatories in phase
1 of the construction work.
Equipment available at DRO
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One 8” LX200R telescope w/DIMM (seeing) capabilities
Two 14” LX200/GPS(R) telescopes w/ parallel-mounted 5” f/5
refractors
The Dark Ridge 20” Alt-Az Ritchie-Chrétien (being rebuilt)
The Morgan 24” Cassegrain hosted for the AAVSO (soon)
One SBIG ST-7XE CCD camera w/ UBVRcIc filters
One SBIG ST-8XME CCD camera w/ UBVRcIc filters and
external guide head
One Apogee AP-8 CCD camera w/ UBVRcIc and Hα, Hβ and OIII
narrowband filters (for the 20” RC)
One Meade DSI (color) CCD camera
One Meade DSI Pro II (monochromatic) CCD camera
One SBIG ST-402 CCD camera (clear filter only)
One SBIG DSS-7 Spectrograph
One SBIG SGS Spectrograph (1800rules/mm in Hi-Res and
600rules/mm in Low-Res)
Focal reducer/field-flatteners for the LX200 systems
Davis site weather station
Science Collaborations
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Students have been involved in the
following areas:
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Double star astrometry using CCD cameras
Exo-planet follow-up using time-series
photometry
Newly discovered variable star time-series
photometry in conjunction with the Global
Network of Astronomical Telescopes (GNAT)
directed by Dr. Eric Craine
New hardware investigations (dual-channel
photometer SAS2006)
Discovering instrument limitations (Purposeful
Defocus paper AAS 2005)
And more…
So What Makes the Difference
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Deciding the science to be performed
Having the equipment expert or “SME”
mentoring the students
Choosing the observing parameters and
iterative testing to obtain the proper setup
Near real-time data image collection and
reduction
Sending the finalized data analysis to the
student for inclusion in their publication
Hi Tom,
A Typical Collaboration
I have done a little bit of 'data mining' in the WDS Catalog and have found
a few interesting M type double stars. Only one is a confirmed binary (GRB
Hi Jo, 34AB). HJ 5453AB hasn't changed theta in almost 200 years and it's rho has
only changed 0.1'. just judging by numbers alone (although I still have a
lot to learn about
it), stars
STF 72
126AB
seem to
have similar proper
The declinations
of all the
areand
wellSTF
placed
for decent
observations.
motion,
their
rho
andbut
theta
changing
somewhat
rapidly to
compared to HJ
Most are
quiteand
bright
however
thisare
should
not make
it too difficult
image5453AB.
them.
During the start of a student
collaboration
there
are
many
all
are
brighter
than
mag
11.1
and
have
separations
greater
than
23'.
Right now I am in the middle of a horrific wind storm with gusts over 80
miles an hours. It has also beenthings
raining here and
cloudy need
when not raining
so
that
attending
to
Jo
I have done no imaging beyond what I did a week ago. If the weather patter
Hi Tom,
holds to the predictions it should be really nice for the next three
the
are
days/nights so maybe I can getbefore
a chance to image
theseactual
systems. Haveimages
you
attached are what I think are the components. for whatever reason,
looked at them on Aladin to see if you can identify the components?
GRB 34AB is not centered. STF 72 has an incredibly sparse field
taken
very similar to 3 Peg. STF 126AB has several possible secondary
I'll let you know what I find.
stars. however, I believe the brightest one is the secondary because it
Jo,
is comparable
to other tenth
magnitude
stars on Aladin. email
 Here
is one
such
example
Thomas C. Smith
I managed to get the computer for the 14” fixed and imaged all four of the M
Dark Ridge Observatory stars tonight. I’ll put it together in an Excel spreadsheet like the previous ones
Jo
conversation
that
took
but only
after I get the paper parts that
I owe you
togetherplace:
first. Here is a teaser
“RAW” image for you of STF 126AB.
Thomas C. Smith
Dark Ridge Observatory
Collaboration (continued)
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Although this data is from a different
star than that of the previous
conversation it shows the way that
the student receives the data when
fully processed at DRO, however it is
encouraged that the student perform
their own analysis, guided by DRO.
Student Papers
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Here is a non-comprehensive list of papers,
authored by the students, that have been reviewed
by, produced at or in cooperation with the Dark
Ridge Observatory
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“Light Curves of Two GNAT MG1 Survey Stars: A OneSemester Community College Pilot Research Project”:
JAAVSO 12/18/2006
“A Compact, Off-the-Shelf Low-Cost Dual Channel
Photometer”. Presented at 2006 SAS
“An Experiment in Relating CCD Differential Photometric
Precision to Varying Degrees of Image Focus”: AAS 2005
“Measurements of a Visual Double Star STF-2079”: JDSO
“High School Observations of the Visual Double Star 3Pegasi”: JDSO
…
The “Real” Magic
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Students actually performing hands-on
data collection that was used for a
publication sited on the preceding slide.
A three-student team working at the Orion Observatory being
advised and mentored by the Dark Ridge Observatory
Conclusion
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Dark Ridge Observatory and the interactive
work that is conducted between the
students and the on-site SME really make
a significant difference in the way the
students both learn about science through
astronomy as well as the way they get
ENERGIZED for all their future endeavors.
It takes a lot of work and patience to
accomplish first-rate astronomical science
and in the production, presentation of their
work into journals, speaking at recognized
conferences and this is where Dark Ridge
Observatory and student collaboration is
really making a profound difference.
Recent News at DRO
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The Dark Ridge 20” RC Alt-Az telescope is
in the shop for rebuild and placement in it’s
new permanent roll-off observatory
building.
The AAVSO has acquired the Lowell
“Morgan” 24” Cassegrain telescope and
has choose the Dark Ridge Observatory to
upgrade and host it on the ridge top in
Weed, New Mexico! This will be the
AAVSO’s northern hemisphere research
telescope.
What an honor!
The Dark Ridge Observatory
Thanks You!
Any questions?
Thomas C. Smith
Director, Dark Ridge Observatory
701 NM Hwy 24, Weed, New Mexico 88354
(575) 687-2168
http://www.DarkRidgeObservatory.org
a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, non-profit, scientific research and educational charitable organization.
“High on the ridge and high on astronomical research and education”