LAS CUMBRES OBSERVATORY GLOBAL TELESCOPE NETWORK We will always be able to keep you in the dark! 6740B Cortona Dr. Goleta, CA Phone: Toll-Free: Fax:

What is LCOGT? Las Cumbres Observatory, Inc. is an operating non- profit organization building a global network of telescopes for scientific research and education Las Cumbres Observatory, Inc. is an operating non- profit organization building a global network of telescopes for scientific research and education We collaborate with others to study time-varying astronomical phenomena We collaborate with others to study time-varying astronomical phenomena We are building an educational program springing from astronomical research – we aim to be exciting, creative, and rigorous: and to appeal to motivated learners of all ages We are building an educational program springing from astronomical research – we aim to be exciting, creative, and rigorous: and to appeal to motivated learners of all ages

Currently, LCOGT … Has 2 two meter telescopes run from Cardiff by the Faulkes Telescope Project Has 2 two meter telescopes run from Cardiff by the Faulkes Telescope Project FTN: Haleakala, MauiFTN: Haleakala, Maui FTS: Siding Spring Observatory, AustraliaFTS: Siding Spring Observatory, Australia (Cerro Pachon,Sutherland, La Palma, San Pedro Martir, Southern China.)(Cerro Pachon,Sutherland, La Palma, San Pedro Martir, Southern China.) Designing 2-5 more two meter telescopes to be placed in great locations at spaced latitudes and longitudes. South ring is committed. Designing 2-5 more two meter telescopes to be placed in great locations at spaced latitudes and longitudes. South ring is committed. Designing high quality instrumentation including CCD cameras, spectrographs, and possible infrared (H,J) capability Designing high quality instrumentation including CCD cameras, spectrographs, and possible infrared (H,J) capability A highly motivated team based in Santa Barbara, CA, 6 astronomer /educators in Cardiff Wales. A highly motivated team based in Santa Barbara, CA, 6 astronomer /educators in Cardiff Wales. Developing affiliations with local and international educational facilities Developing affiliations with local and international educational facilities Designing a network of at least 50 telescopes, ranging in size from 0.4 to 1 meter to be placed at ideal locations Designing a network of at least 50 telescopes, ranging in size from 0.4 to 1 meter to be placed at ideal locations All telescopes will be equipped with high quality CCD cameras, scientific grade filters. Spectrographs and possible infrared instruments included on the 1 meter telescopes All telescopes will be equipped with high quality CCD cameras, scientific grade filters. Spectrographs and possible infrared instruments included on the 1 meter telescopes ScientificEducational

Tell me more about this telescope network … The educational network will be open and free to any school or group that is registered The educational network will be open and free to any school or group that is registered There will be a vast library of materials including classroom and group activities and projects to use with the telescopes How to engage professionals? There will be a vast library of materials including classroom and group activities and projects to use with the telescopes How to engage professionals? Most all educational uses will be on the network of 0.4 – 1m telescopes, with extremely motivated students and groups being able to use the 2m telescopes Most all educational uses will be on the network of 0.4 – 1m telescopes, with extremely motivated students and groups being able to use the 2m telescopes There will be information on how to use the telescopes and how to register with LCOGT on the website ( also currently under construction), as well as a newsletter that will be sent out to those registered users with news and information There will be information on how to use the telescopes and how to register with LCOGT on the website ( also currently under construction), as well as a newsletter that will be sent out to those registered users with news and informationwww.LCOGT.net

Astronomy Education is not only with telescopes … LCOGT is planning other teaching tools such as: LCOGT is planning other teaching tools such as: Live, online astronomy sessionsLive, online astronomy sessions Possibly some interactive astronomy sessions with professional astronomers (Hint, hint, hint!) Possibly some interactive astronomy sessions with professional astronomers (Hint, hint, hint!) Online resources and toolsOnline resources and tools Classroom and group projects, telescope projects, general astronomy resources, on-line video lecture series, including full undergraduate BS level upper division courses (we need lecturers, hint…), links to our affiliated groups Classroom and group projects, telescope projects, general astronomy resources, on-line video lecture series, including full undergraduate BS level upper division courses (we need lecturers, hint…), links to our affiliated groups Astronomy workshops, teacher training and IT workshopsAstronomy workshops, teacher training and IT workshops How to teach general science including astronomy, how to use the online resources, how to use the telescopes, etc. How to teach general science including astronomy, how to use the online resources, how to use the telescopes, etc. Availability for outreach focused amateur science and astronomy clubs as well as museum groups and nature centersAvailability for outreach focused amateur science and astronomy clubs as well as museum groups and nature centers By teaching astronomy, we are introducing all the other sciences such as physics, chemistry, biology, geology, engineering, mathematics, as well as viewing the cosmos from art and literature.

Why have a global, robotic telescope network? Most objects in the universe vary with time … Most objects in the universe vary with time … Dynamic aspects are very hard to explore … Dynamic aspects are very hard to explore … Traveling from telescope site to telescope site may be fun, but can become very tiresome … (leave that to Wayne and the engineers.) Traveling from telescope site to telescope site may be fun, but can become very tiresome … (leave that to Wayne and the engineers.) So we build a robotic telescope network at logically spaced latitudes and longitudes so that we will always be able to keep you in the dark!

For Scientists and Engineers LCOGT is a new organization, < 1 year old LCOGT is a new organization, < 1 year old The FT’s need help. FTS never worked because the azimuth ring was incorrectly installed. Re- assembly began Feb 28 th. Second light April 3. The FT’s need help. FTS never worked because the azimuth ring was incorrectly installed. Re- assembly began Feb 28 th. Second light April 3. The CCD dewars (and surfaces!) are contaminated with oil. The CCD dewars (and surfaces!) are contaminated with oil. M1&2 meet the night air 5C too warm. No fans, no temperature probe, uninsulated enclosure, no HVAC, 4 hour time-constant.  M1&2 meet the night air 5C too warm. No fans, no temperature probe, uninsulated enclosure, no HVAC, 4 hour time-constant.  No provision for flat field screen, inadequate baffles. No provision for flat field screen, inadequate baffles. Never really astronomically commissioned. Never really astronomically commissioned. AG never used in anger. AG never used in anger. Both FT’s have astigmatic secondaries ~ 0.25 wave. Both FT’s have astigmatic secondaries ~ 0.25 wave.

TTL Telescopes do work! First TPOINT run on rebuilt FTS: 1.6 asec rms. First TPOINT run on rebuilt FTS: 1.6 asec rms. Tracking in the 160 mas range, 3 axes, 40kph winds. Tracking in the 160 mas range, 3 axes, 40kph winds. Capable of sporting nine instruments. Capable of sporting nine instruments. We own the telescope code. We do not have source to the robotic layer (yet.) Will also incorporate Palomar 60” robotic code and data reduction pipeline. We own the telescope code. We do not have source to the robotic layer (yet.) Will also incorporate Palomar 60” robotic code and data reduction pipeline. The desk is the network at the moment. (It takes a human…) The desk is the network at the moment. (It takes a human…)

The challenges Weather. We suspect 3 week continuous observing runs are not possible. But where is the data? What is the run-length distribution vs. season? Weather. We suspect 3 week continuous observing runs are not possible. But where is the data? What is the run-length distribution vs. season? Network centric software. Too much emphasis on the net being down and security, not enough on making good observing decisions. Network centric software. Too much emphasis on the net being down and security, not enough on making good observing decisions. For any given project how do we supply JUST ENOUGH great data? For any given project how do we supply JUST ENOUGH great data? How do you allocate 15,000 hours of 2 meter time? 1 meter time? 80,000 hours of 0.4 time? How do you allocate 15,000 hours of 2 meter time? 1 meter time? 80,000 hours of 0.4 time?

Instrumentation - I An r magnitude is an r magnitude is an r … An r magnitude is an r magnitude is an r … Homogeneous trustworthy data. Homogeneous trustworthy data. Identical filters, 20C, Dry N, annual calibration, re-coating main mirrors. Identical CCD detectors. Identical filters, 20C, Dry N, annual calibration, re-coating main mirrors. Identical CCD detectors. Flat fielding and nightly standards protocol – but with 9 instruments when will we have time to observe? Flat fielding and nightly standards protocol – but with 9 instruments when will we have time to observe? Common reduction procedures. Common reduction procedures.

Instruments - II 2k x 2k e2v back illuminated CCD. 4.5 arc minute field, 8 filters. Cryotiger cooled. 2k x 2k e2v back illuminated CCD. 4.5 arc minute field, 8 filters. Cryotiger cooled. 8 asec square integral field spectrometer, R 1500, moderate quality CCD. 8 asec square integral field spectrometer, R 1500, moderate quality CCD. Deployable autoguider. Works fine at 17.5 r mag. Cannot disambiguate field rotation. Deployable autoguider. Works fine at 17.5 r mag. Cannot disambiguate field rotation.

Robotic Scheduling We expect oversubscription to be the norm. We expect oversubscription to be the norm. Starbucks to the rescue. The LCOGT TAC gives gift certificates for photons. Starbucks to the rescue. The LCOGT TAC gives gift certificates for photons. Real time marketplace. Dynamic auction.**See next slide Real time marketplace. Dynamic auction.**See next slide Is there a place for real cash? Marginal cost is about ~$600/hour for the 2m, $150 for the 1m and $55 for the 0.4m. With real cash flow we could expand the network beyond what LCO can afford. Is there a place for real cash? Marginal cost is about ~$600/hour for the 2m, $150 for the 1m and $55 for the 0.4m. With real cash flow we could expand the network beyond what LCO can afford. Schools can’t pay real money. How to reward the groups that do well? (Local government funding???) Schools can’t pay real money. How to reward the groups that do well? (Local government funding???) 0.4m network could easily expand with modest financial investments – dedicated amateurs have this kind of equipment. (In-homogeneity and poor sites may be a problem.) 0.4m network could easily expand with modest financial investments – dedicated amateurs have this kind of equipment. (In-homogeneity and poor sites may be a problem.) LCOGT will be open sourced – 2, 1, 0.4m mount designs, TCS (less TPOINT and a few licensed codes) and ALL the robotic and scheduling code. Compatible with ASCOM. LCOGT will be open sourced – 2, 1, 0.4m mount designs, TCS (less TPOINT and a few licensed codes) and ALL the robotic and scheduling code. Compatible with ASCOM.

Instruments - III High throughput Spectrometer High throughput Spectrometer Multi-channel CCD camera Multi-channel CCD camera Wide(r) field Kids camera Wide(r) field Kids camera Larger field main Camera (8k x 8k) U? Larger field main Camera (8k x 8k) U? Near IR Camera (DQE more or less flat from R through H and J. Filter determined Z and Y bands.) Near IR Camera (DQE more or less flat from R through H and J. Filter determined Z and Y bands.) Do we want a mosaic? (45 amin) No obvious science driver unless we do survey work. Do we want a mosaic? (45 amin) No obvious science driver unless we do survey work. Improved AG system (2 for rotator angle plus optional per-instrument x/y.) Improved AG system (2 for rotator angle plus optional per-instrument x/y.)

Grad Student Secret Sauce I have met far many students at CTIO who have been weathered out of their PhD data. I have met far many students at CTIO who have been weathered out of their PhD data. Worthy projects which exploit the unique capabilities of LCOGT.NET will receive reasonably high priority (read: pre-emptive rights.) Only the LCOGT scientific advisory board will grant these Starbucks on Steroids. Worthy projects which exploit the unique capabilities of LCOGT.NET will receive reasonably high priority (read: pre-emptive rights.) Only the LCOGT scientific advisory board will grant these Starbucks on Steroids.

LCOGT Organization. Dr. Tim Brown (HAO) will be Scientific Director starting June 1. Dr. Tim Brown (HAO) will be Scientific Director starting June 1. Wayne Rosing will be Engineering Director. Wayne Rosing will be Engineering Director. Affiliated with UCSB, located in UCSB building near campus in Goleta. Affiliated with UCSB, located in UCSB building near campus in Goleta. Qualified LCO Astronomers may be appointed adjunct professors and have office on campus, post-docs, grad students. (UCSB faculty sole decider.) Qualified LCO Astronomers may be appointed adjunct professors and have office on campus, post-docs, grad students. (UCSB faculty sole decider.) 7 Outreach staff 7 Outreach staff 8 Computer scientists 8 Computer scientists 5 Mechanical engineers 5 Mechanical engineers 4 Electronics engineers (1 + 3 planned.) 4 Electronics engineers (1 + 3 planned.) 7 Operations and support 7 Operations and support 1 Staff Astronomer (plan for 5 ) 1 Staff Astronomer (plan for 5 ) 2 open post-docs (Data reduction and pipeline design) 2 open post-docs (Data reduction and pipeline design) 140 Opteron Beowulf cluster (space for more.) 140 Opteron Beowulf cluster (space for more.) First-rate instrument shop. First-rate instrument shop.

Reliability 98% uptime is the goal, for each 2m facility, instruments included. 98% uptime is the goal, for each 2m facility, instruments included. 0.98^3 = 94%. ~ 12 nights lost. 0.98^3 = 94%. ~ 12 nights lost. 0.98^7 = 87%. That feels frustrating. 0.98^7 = 87%. That feels frustrating. How can the 1m telescopes help? How can the 1m telescopes help? Weather is of course the biggest failure mechanism. Weather is of course the biggest failure mechanism.

Early Scientific Program FTS – Extrasolar planet detections. Two seasons. (An inherited PPARC funded program) FTS – Extrasolar planet detections. Two seasons. (An inherited PPARC funded program) GRB override rights, spectra. (ROBONET) 50 hours remaining. GRB override rights, spectra. (ROBONET) 50 hours remaining. Various ROBONET projects completing this summer. Various ROBONET projects completing this summer. Our assessment: none really needed a superior telescope so most can still run. Some projects did not get good data. Our assessment: none really needed a superior telescope so most can still run. Some projects did not get good data. For LCOGT we need to systematically upgrade the facilities and instruments – multiple servicing missions. For LCOGT we need to systematically upgrade the facilities and instruments – multiple servicing missions. LCO will pick some high precision photometry projects as drivers to get the telescopes working well. LCO will pick some high precision photometry projects as drivers to get the telescopes working well. Wayne wants round star images with 0.5 FWHM and will not stop until he gets them. Wayne wants round star images with 0.5 FWHM and will not stop until he gets them.

Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network! In the beginning was the Dill Faulkes Educational Trust, which got the Faulkes Telescope Project rolling. Thanks Dill! In the beginning was the Dill Faulkes Educational Trust, which got the Faulkes Telescope Project rolling. Thanks Dill! Funding for 20 years provided by the TABASGO Foundation Funding for 20 years provided by the TABASGO Foundation TTL built both FTN and FTS and are currently designing new 2m telescopes TTL built both FTN and FTS and are currently designing new 2m telescopes Astrophysics Research Institute (ARI) of LJMU operates the FT telescopes (Robonet, PPARC) Astrophysics Research Institute (ARI) of LJMU operates the FT telescopes (Robonet, PPARC) Cardiff University hosts the Faulkes Telescope Project with associated educational program Cardiff University hosts the Faulkes Telescope Project with associated educational program A strong affiliation with UC System astronomy departments is developing. A strong affiliation with UC System astronomy departments is developing.

Thank you and CLEAR SKIES!