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Eclipsing Binary Star Program, Eclipsing Binary Star Program, Hardware and SoftwareHardware and Software

Thomas C. SmithThomas C. SmithDirector, Dark Ridge ObservatoryDirector, Dark Ridge Observatory

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Observing Project GoalsObserving Project Goals

Specific Points of interest– Automated EB Observing Program– Automatic Observatory Operations– Automatic Data Collection and Reduction– System Health Notification Process

Using equipment and software that is commonly available to the amateur, an automatic EB program of study will be carried out.

– Telescope is a Meade 14” LX200GPS mounted equatorially on a heavy-duty wedge.

– CCD Camera is an ST-7XE USB non-antiblooming, blue-enhanced system from SBIG.

– Software is TheSky, CCDSoft, TPoint, and Orchestrate from Software Bisque also MIRA AP-7 from Axiom Research.

Programming will utilize the ASCOM or RASCOM standard objects that integrate with the above software and hardware.

Bisque.com / Axiom.com

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Observatory, Telescope and Observatory, Telescope and MountingMounting

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ST-7XE CCD SpecificationsST-7XE CCD SpecificationsCCD Kodak KAF-0401E + TI TC-211

Pixel Array 765 x 510 pixels, 6.9 x 4.6 mm, Total Pixels 390,000

Pixel Size 9 x 9 microns

Full Well Capacity (NABG) ~100,000 e-, Dark Current 1e¯/pixel/sec at 0° C

Non ABG, Shutter Electromechanical

Exposure 0.11 to 3600 seconds, 10ms resolution, Correlated Double Sampling

A/D Converter 16 bits, A/D Gain 2.3e¯/ADU, Read Noise 15e¯ RMS

Binning Modes 1 x 1, 2 x 2, 3 x 3

Pixel Digitization Rate Up to 420,000 pixels per second

Full Frame Acquisition ~1 second

Specs Per SBIG

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ST-7XE Optical SpecificationsST-7XE Optical Specifications

Using an 8" f/10 system

Field of View 12 x 8 arcminutes

Pixel Size .9 x .9 arcseconds

Limiting Magnitude Magnitude 14 in 1 second

(for 3 arcsec FWHM stars) Magnitude 18 in 1 minute

Specs Per SBIG

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ST-7XE System SpecificationsST-7XE System Specifications

Cooling - standard Single Stage Thermoelectric, Active Fan, Water Assist Ready

-45 C from Ambient Typical

Temperature Regulation ±0.1°C

Power 5 VDC at 1.5 amps, ±12 VDC at 0.5 amp

Computer Interface USB

Computer Compatibility Windows 95/98/NT/2000/Me/XP

Guiding Dual CCD Self-Guiding

Specs Per SBIG

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ST-7XE Physical DimensionsST-7XE Physical Dimensions

Optical Head 5 inches diameter x 3 inches 12.5 cm diameter x 7.5 deep 2 pounds/0.9 Kg

CPU All electronics integrated into Optical Head, No CPU

Mounting T-Thread, 1.25" and 2" nosepieces

Backfocus 0.92 inches/2.3 cm

Specs Per SBIG

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Running System Flow DiagramRunning System Flow Diagram

This is a preliminary flow diagram of a normal observing session run. The system is continuously performing self monitoring to ensure that appropriate actions are taken.

Program Script

Proceed toTelescope?

WeatherTelemetrySystem

WeatherMonitor

PositionTelescope

Position FilterWheel

NO

YES

Environmental Conditions Acceptable for Program Run

CCD ImageAquisition

ObservatoryOperational?

PrepareObservatory

YES

NOProgram

Parameters

Scope inPosition?

Filter in Place?YES

YES

NONO

ImageAquired?

YESImage Storage

SystemYES Image Stored?

NO NO

ScriptComplete?

NO

YES, Next Program Step

ProgramInitializationand Begin

Update Observatory Ready Parameter

Enter ShutdownProcess

YES

0 to N loops

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System Shutdown ProcessSystem Shutdown Process

TelescopePosition

Telemetry

Park Scopes Close Roof

FTP Results

Roof Clear& PositionTelemetry

ShutdownSystem

ProgramSleep

ScopesParked?

Roof Closed?

NO NO

YES

DataReceived?

SystemReported

Shutdown?

NO

YES

NO

YES

YESShutdownProcess

When the system has completed the programmed loops or an error condition is raised, the system will enter the shutdown process.

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Flow Control System: Flow Control System: Environmental Monitoring SystemEnvironmental Monitoring System

The environmental monitoring system will be responsible for the following items– Cloud cover and precipitation anticipation– OTA to Ambient delta-T measurements– Wind speed– Lightening strike detection– Ambient light conditions– Smoke / Fire detection system

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Flow Control System: Flow Control System: Observatory OperationsObservatory Operations

The observatory operations system will be responsible for the following items– Roof position detection– OTA park-position detection– AC/DC power monitoring– Internal lighting system control– Observatory “flat” screen illumination and filtering

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Flow Control System: Flow Control System: Telescope ControlTelescope Control

The telescope control and positioning system will be responsible for the following items– Telescope pointing and tracking– Target acquisition and centering– Auto guiding (using the ST-7XE guider)– Telescope park and shutdown initiation

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Flow Control System: Flow Control System: CCD Camera and Filter WheelCCD Camera and Filter Wheel

The camera and filter wheel system will be responsible for the following items– Creating calibration “dark” and “flat” exposures– Filter position indexing– Auto guiding system control signal generation– Target exposure / integration– Data signal conversion and storage

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System Shutdown: System Shutdown: Park ScopePark Scope

The telescope control system will position the telescope into the “park” position in preparation for roof closure

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System Shutdown: System Shutdown: ObservatoryObservatory Roof ClosureRoof Closure

Once the telescope is “parked” the roof closure system will:– Verify the roof is clear to close using a two-detector

system that utilizes infrared detectors.– Close the roof using the DC motors to the fully shut

position as indicated by redundant limit switches– Power down the observatory roof circuits

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System Shutdown: System Shutdown: Data File transferData File transfer

The data file transfer system will be responsible for the following items– Moving the collected data files onto a server utilizing a

wireless network.– Verify the file move succeeded– Delete the local file copy– Initiate the remote data analysis software– System health and heartbeat message creation– System error message creation and notifications

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ProceduresProcedures

Detailed system startup, operation and shutdown procedures will be created and followed to ensure data integrity and repeatability

Target or opportunity program suspension procedures and processes will be available with “smart” subsequent program step resumption

FOR MORE INFO...

Procedures will be maintained on the project web site at http://www.DarkRidgeObservatory.org

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ScheduleSchedule

–Hardware and observatory construction (Jun 2003 – Oct 2003)

–System testing and automation processes (Sept 2003 – Dec 2003)

–Observing program initiation (Sept 2003 – Nov 2003)

–Scientific program of study (Sept 2003 – Kepler Launch)