Remote Observing at the Dark Ridge Observatory And Beyond… Thomas C. Smith, Director, Dark Ridge Observatory SAS 2008, Big Bear, 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 At the Dark Ridge Observatory the student is guided through the nuances of the host equipment to achieve scientific accuracy for their measurements 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 This process provides mentoring for the student in areas of data collection, reduction and understanding of the use of astronomical images in science

Introduction Three fall semesters in 2005/6/7 (Cuesta Community College and the California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo, California) 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. Hands-on observations made at the Dark Ridge Observatory in Atascadero, CA. Remote observations made at the Dark Ridge Observatory in Weed, New Mexico 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 Having “the” expert on the equipment a major part of the science project

Dark Ridge Observatory The Dark Ridge Observatory (DRO) is now located in the Sacramento Mountains of southeastern New Mexico The Dark Ridge Observatory (DRO) is now located in the Sacramento Mountains of southeastern New Mexico Elevation 7100 feet (2164 meters) Elevation 7100 feet (2164 meters) Winter/Spring best with monsoon-like conditions in the summer and early fall Winter/Spring best with monsoon-like conditions in the summer and early fall Clear night seeing (1.5 – 0.7 arc-seconds typical) Clear night seeing (1.5 – 0.7 arc-seconds typical) 501(c)(3) non-profit observatory utilizing the equipment and facilities of the Dark Ridge Ranch 501(c)(3) non-profit observatory utilizing the equipment and facilities of the Dark Ridge Ranch

DRO (continued) Early vision of the observatory phase one. Early vision of the observatory phase one. The proposed rendition looking at phase 1 of the DRO construction effort.

DRO (continued) Current construction progress. Current construction progress. View out the control room window to the first of three roll-off observatories in phase 1 of the construction work.

DRO Equipment One 8” LX200R telescope w/DIMM (seeing) capabilities One 8” LX200R telescope w/DIMM (seeing) capabilities Two 14” LX200/GPS(R) telescopes w/ parallel-mounted 5” refractors Two 14” LX200/GPS(R) telescopes w/ parallel-mounted 5” refractors One 20” Alt-Az Ritchie-Chrétien (being rebuilt) One 20” Alt-Az Ritchie-Chrétien (being rebuilt) One SBIG ST-7XE CCD camera w/ UBVRcIc filters One SBIG ST-7XE CCD camera w/ UBVRcIc filters One SBIG ST-8XME CCD camera w/ UBVRcIc filters and external guide head 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 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 (color) CCD camera One DSI Pro II (monochromatic) CCD camera One DSI Pro II (monochromatic) CCD camera One SBIG ST-402 CCD camera (clear only) One SBIG ST-402 CCD camera (clear only) One SBIG DSS-7 Spectrograph One SBIG DSS-7 Spectrograph One SBIG SGS Spectrograph (1800rules/mm in Hi-Res and 600rules/mm in Low-Res) One SBIG SGS Spectrograph (1800rules/mm in Hi-Res and 600rules/mm in Low-Res) Focal reducer/flatteners for the LX200 systems Focal reducer/flatteners for the LX200 systems Site weather station Site weather station

Science Collaborations Students have been involved in the following areas: Students have been involved in the following areas: Double star astrometry using CCD cameras Double star astrometry using CCD cameras Exo-planet follow-up using time-series photometry 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 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) New hardware investigations (dual-channel photometer SAS2006) Discovering instrument limitations (Purposeful Defocus paper AAS 2005) Discovering instrument limitations (Purposeful Defocus paper AAS 2005) And more… And more…

So What Makes the Difference Deciding the science to be performed Deciding the science to be performed Having the equipment expert or “SME” mentoring the students Having the equipment expert or “SME” mentoring the students Choosing and iterative testing to obtain the proper setup Choosing and iterative testing to obtain the proper setup Near real-time data image collection and reduction Near real-time data image collection and reduction Sending the finalized data analysis to the student for inclusion in their publication Sending the finalized data analysis to the student for inclusion in their publication

A Typical Collaboration During the start of a student collaboration there are many things that need attending to before the actual images are taken During the start of a student collaboration there are many things that need attending to before the actual images are taken Here is one such example conversation that took place via Here is one such example conversation that took place via Jo, I managed to get the computer for the 14” fixed and imaged all four of the M stars tonight. I’ll put it together in an Excel spreadsheet like the previous ones but only after I get the paper parts that I owe you together first. Here is a teaser “RAW” image for you of STF 126AB. Thomas C. Smith Dark Ridge Observatory Hi Tom, attached are what I think are the components. for whatever reason, GRB 34AB is not centered. STF 72 has an incredibly sparse field very similar to 3 Peg. STF 126AB has several possible secondary stars. however, I believe the brightest one is the secondary because it is comparable to other tenth magnitude stars on Aladin. Jo Hi Jo, The declinations of all the stars are well placed for decent observations. Most are quite bright however but this should not make it too difficult to image them. Right now I am in the middle of a horrific wind storm with gusts over 80 miles an hours. It has also been raining here and cloudy when not raining so I have done no imaging beyond what I did a week ago. If the weather patter holds to the predictions it should be really nice for the next three days/nights so maybe I can get a chance to image these systems. Have you looked at them on Aladin to see if you can identify the components? I'll let you know what I find. Thomas C. Smith Dark Ridge Observatory Hi Tom, 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 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), STF 72 and STF 126AB seem to have similar proper motion, and their rho and theta are changing somewhat rapidly compared to HJ 5453AB. all are brighter than mag 11.1 and have separations greater than 23'. Jo

Collaboration (continued) 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. 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 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 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 “Light Curves of Two GNAT MG1 Survey Stars: A One- Semester Community College Pilot Research Project”: JAAVSO 12/18/2006 “Light Curves of Two GNAT MG1 Survey Stars: A One- Semester Community College Pilot Research Project”: JAAVSO 12/18/2006 “A Compact, Off-the-Shelf Low-Cost Dual Channel Photometer”. Presented at 2006 SAS “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 “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 “Measurements of a Visual Double Star STF-2079”: JDSO “High School Observations of the Visual Double Star 3- Pegasi”: JDSO “High School Observations of the Visual Double Star 3- Pegasi”: JDSO …

The “Real” Magic Students actually performing hands-on data collection that was used for a publication sited on the preceding slide. 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 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. 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 and presentation of their work into journals and speaking at recognized conferences and this is where Dark Ridge Observatory and student collaboration is really making a profound difference. It takes a lot of work and patience to accomplish first-rate astronomical science and in the production and presentation of their work into journals and speaking at recognized conferences and this is where Dark Ridge Observatory and student collaboration is really making a profound difference.

The Dark Ridge Observatory Thanks You! Any questions? Thomas C. Smith Director, Dark Ridge Observatory 701 NM Hwy 24, Weed, New Mexico (575) 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”