ISSAT “Telescope Alpha” Richard Berry Astronomical League

Telescope Alpha: Project Goals To build an ISSAT group within the Astronomical League To gain experience operating a remote-access telescope To test user interface and remote-control techniques

What Is “Telescope Alpha?” 14-Inch Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope Computer-controlled Paramount mounting SBIG ST-9 and ST-5C CCD cameras Dell PowerEdge control computers Hughes DirecWay satellite Internet link Operation from Vanderbilt University See our web site at FOR MORE INFO...

Winer Observatory Sonoita, AZ Mark Trueblood designed and constructed Winer Observatory as a home site for computer-controlled remotely-operated telescopes.

Telescope Alpha’s Technology High-sensitivity ST-9 CCD camera –Faint objects with short exposures High-Resolution ST-5C CCD camera –Lunar and planetary imaging Satellite communications link –No need for high-capacity phone line Browser controlled software –Anyone can use this telescope

Implementation Schedule 7/2001: Go-Ahead from League 9/2001: Components Arrive, Chicago 10/2001: First Light, Chicago 2/2002: Installed Sonoita, AZ 3/2002: Regular observations begin

Why Is Telescope Alpha Special? First step toward amateur telescope on International Space Station Access to individuals, schools, and general public Think of it: an “Internet Star Party” See our web site at FOR MORE INFO...

Assembly Schedule Feb 1: Mounting and telescope –First light, rough polar alignment Feb 2: Mount CCD cameras –Assemble, take test images Feb 3: Computers, software, communications –Remote from warm room –Remote over satellite link

Unloading Telescope Alpha Feb 1 The south door of the roll-off roof is open.

Setting the Pier in Place Tom Melsheimer and Lance Martin

Attaching the Optical Tube Orville Brettman Tom Melsheimer

Getting Ready for Dark In preparation for aligning the polar axis of the Paramount mounting (on loan to the ISSAT Project from Software Bisque), Tom Melsheimer attaches and wires a video camera.

Roof Rollback: First Night Feb 1 When we roll back the roof, few stars are visible.

Telescope Alpha: First Light Polar alignment, through holes in the clouds, starting with Betelgeuse

It Works! What’s Next? Install and test CCD cameras Run cables to warm room Test operation from warm room Install Hughes satellite dish Establish satellite link to Nashville Operate telescope from Vanderbilt

Assembling the Electronics Feb 2 Matt Bisque was in charge of the CCD cameras and the computers donated by Dell Computer Corporation.

Getting Ready to Run the CCDs Matt Bisque troubleshoots a minor problem with a color filter wheel.

The CCD Cameras Two CCD cameras, an ST-9 and an ST-5C, are on loan to the ISSAT Project from SBIG. ST-5C ST-9

Switching CCD Cameras A computer- controlled motorized flip mirror will allow observers to use either CCD camera.

Satellite Link to Nashville The dish and one year of free service were donated by Hughes.

In the Warm Room Terry Mann at the controls in Sonoita. Once the satellite link works, it will be just as easy to run the telescope from Dyer Observatory, in Nashville, TN.

Current Status Telescope Alpha Operational –14-inch Celestron SCT has replaced 12-inch –Pointing calibration by mid-March –Browser-based operation in testing Future: Bright or Bleak? –Corporate interest in ground-based telescope network –But uncertain funding for Space Station

ISSAT and “the Team” Left to right: Richard Berry Tom Melsheimer Matt Bisque Orville Brettman Terry Mann Lance Martin Sean Sheldon

What Happens Next? Operate Telescope Alpha –Gain experience, establish ties. Seek Funds for Ground Telescopes –3 to 6 permanent ground stations Propose ISSAT to NASA –“Crown Jewel” is telescope in space See our web site at FOR MORE INFO...