Fick Observatory - Boone, IA

Observatory Automation ongo02e March 26, 2002 Faculty advisor: Dr. John P. Basart Client: Joe Eitter ISU Physics Department Team members: Justin Doyle (2 nd sem) Derek Halverson (2 nd sem) Rob Walstrom (2 nd sem) Tai Ward (2 nd sem) Shahril Abdullah (1 st sem) Jeff Rastrelli (1 st sem) Nick Williams (1 st sem) Fook-Keong Yap (1 st sem)

Presentation Outline Problem Statement Design Objectives End Product Description Assumptions and Limitations Project Risks and Concerns Technical Approach Evaluation of Project Success Recommendation of Future Work Human and Financial Budget Lessons Learned Summary

Problem Statement Automation of the Fick Observatory –Phase 1: Remote Control –Phase 2: Automated System

Design Objectives Functionality –Control the telescope –Collect telescope data –Operate the roof –Gather weather conditions –Provide visual feedback –Provide remote control via the Internet –Automate the system

Control the Telescope Control via serial port Filter wheel Slides/covers Focus Raw code vs. commercial –The Sky –Orchestrate

Collect Telescope Data Combine filtered images Clean images CCD video capture MaxIm DL/CCD

Operate the Roof

Telescope room has movable walls and roof Existing system built in 60’s Current system uses manual levers New system run by actuators Old system had no safety stops Redundant magnetic and optical safety stops Computer software controlled

Actuators Magnetic switches Extensive safety measures Visual feedback from cameras Operate the Roof

Provide Visual Feedback Surveillance camera system Streaming live video over the Internet

Provide Remote Control Main computer accessible via remote access software PCAnywhere GoToMyPC WindowsXP Radmin Allow systems to be turned on remotely

Gather Weather Conditions SkyCam –Protective housing Weather station Temperature sensors Online resources

Design Constraints Location of observatory Limited space for adding equipment Budget External weather conditions Overheating of equipment in summer Interfacing with old equipment High-speed Internet connection

Intended Users and Uses Intended users –Physics faculty –Astronomers Intended uses –Fully automated control (like a VCR timer) –Remote control from campus

End-Product Description Remote control of all equipment within the observatory Programmable system to gather data while not being user-controlled

Assumptions and Limitations Assumptions –Single user access at one time –High-speed Internet connection –Must be secure from Internet attacks –All components powered up prior to use Limitations –Limited site access for team members –Speed of Internet connection –Hydraulics of existing roof control system –Two speeds at which roof may open or close –Telescope may not be compatible with commercial software –Existing hardware

Project Risks and Concerns Knowledge of telescope operation Damaging the telescope Existing hardware failure Loss of client

Technical Approach Division of project into sub-projects –Telescope operation –Video –Roof control –Weather station –Remote control

Technical Approach Split processing to two computers Roof sensors: magnetic vs. optical Telescope software: commercial vs. raw code

Evaluation of Project Success Research (90%) Documentation (100%) - ongoing Network (25%) – in progress Roof control (10%) – in progress Telescope control (10%) – in progress Video (20%) – in progress Weather monitoring (90%) – future semester Temperature monitoring (0%) – future semester Remote operation (0%) – future semester

Future Work Prototype roof control board Complete roof control implementation Install surveillance video cameras Setup server for video streaming Install remote access software Remote climate control Installation of weather station Fully network all computers in observatory

Human Budget Team MemberEstimated HoursActual Hours Shahril Abdullah Justin Doyle10084 Derek Halverson Jeff Rastrelli10579 Rob Walstrom Tai Ward10081 Nick Williams Fook-Keong Yap9585 Totals

Financial Budget ComponentsEstimated CostRevised CostActual Cost Computer (Windows)$500$1000$0 Computer (Linux)$1000 $0 Watchdog Timer$100 $0 I/O Boards$80$100$0 A/D PCI card$400 $0 CCD Software$400 $0 Printed circuit board$300 $0 16 port network switch$200$80$0 WOL Ethernet card(2)$36 $0 Video Multiplexer$1200$200$0 Video Capture cards(2)$320 $0 Video server software$200 $0 Misc. Parts$75$100$0 Weather Station$400 $0 Printing$50$40$38 Total$5061$4476$38

Lessons Learned Communication with client Clearly defined requirements Interfacing with old technology can be difficult Gained knowledge on video frame grabbers, control software, data acquisition cards, etc.

Summary Firm foundation of research and design Finished project will greatly increase usability of the observatory

Questions Questions?