Remote ImagingA Users Perspective

January 7, 2010Frank Barnes III

Overview:

• Background

• Locations & Equipment

• Remote Imaging Challenges

• Software, Hardware, and Tools

Background:

• December 1999, started imaging with a Celestron Nexstar 5 and a Nikon CoolPix 800 using eyepiece projection.

• March 2000, bought a Celestron C14 with a CI700 mount and added a Astrometrics SkyWalker 2 GoTo system to the mount.

• July 2000, started building my observatory in the back yard, and went operational in November.

• Added various scopes and cameras over the next few years, but the local light pollution grew by leaps and bounds and I had to start looking for a better dark site.

Background:

• October 2004, I attended the first AIC (Advanced Imaging Conference), and there I met Steve Mandel, the conference founder, and an amateur astronomer working on researching dust clouds.

• I started helping Steve gather the images for that project by running the equipment located at New Mexico Skies, and two years later, I bought the equipment from him and still do research with Professor Adolf Witt at the University of Toledo.

• Steve and I partnered in 2007 and put equipment in one of the observatories at Sierra Remote Observatories about 45 miles outside of Fresno, Ca in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Background:

• 1 year later, Steve changed directions and I bought out his half of the equipment at SRO.

• I later added a second scope and mount to the SRO observatory and that brought the total to 5 systems that are usually running every night that is clear at each location.

Locations & Equipment:

• Twinoaks Observatory - Rock Hill, SC.

• My first observatory, located in my back yard.

• Definition – Remote Local : Easily accessible by you during an imaging session to handle any situation that may arise.

Locations & Equipment:

• Mayhill, NM.

• New Mexico Skies Pod 2.

• Definition – Remote Manned : Easily accessible by on site personnel during an imaging session to handle any situation that may arise.

Mandeloscope

Witt Scope

Locations:

• Blue Sky Observatory (Near Shaver Lake, Ca.)

• Sierra Remote Observatories - Obs 5.

• Definition – Remote Unmanned: Accessible by remote personnel based on the seriousness of the emergency. May take some time for them to arrive on site.

BSO NorthBSO South

Remote Imaging Challenges:

• Power Failure

• UPS - sized large enough to close your roof, clam, or slot and run your communications , computer(s) , and equipment for an orderly shutdown.

• APC Smart 3000, APC Smart 2200

• Generator

• Kohler 12RES (12KW Natural Gas)

Remote Imaging Challenges:

• Weather Failure

• Must be able to detect changing conditions that would warrant a need to end or pause your imaging session.

• Clouds (Sky Temperature)

• High winds

• High Humidity

• Loss of feed from weather detector

• Boltwood II Cloud Sensor

Remote Imaging Challenges:

• Equipment Failure

• Must be able to recover from a software failure and/or a hardware failure.

• Remotely re-boot your computer system(s)

• Power cycle mount, cameras, hubs, etc

• Need notifications if/when these failures occur

• Roof override system

• Remote Eyes

• Internet Webcam• Toshiba IK-WB01A_11A

Remote Imaging Challenges:

• Bugs

• They can get into anything and cause a great deal of damage.

• Spiders can be most destructive

Software, Hardware, and Tools :

• Software

• TheSky6 Pro

• Scripting interface• Can control a large number of mounts• Can setup FOVI for a large number of camera/scope combos• Comes with multiple star catalogs and object databases• Supports Image linking for accurate telescope positioning• Supports multiple locations• Interfaces with TPoint for improved telescope pointing

Software, Hardware, and Tools :

• Software

• CCDSoft / Maxim DL

• Scripting interface• Can control a large number of cameras• Has the ability to take multiple images• Supports a number of Filter Wheels• Drives the guiding camera for long exposures• Supports Image linking with TheSky6 (CCDSoft) or with PinPoint

(Maxim DL)• Interfaces with TPoint for automated map building

Software, Hardware, and Tools :

• Software

• Automated Focusing - FocusMax

• Supports a wide range of motorized Focusers• Builds a profile of your imaging train and uses that to obtain

excellent focus (V Curve)• Has a scripting interface• Is compatible with CCDSoft and Maxim DL

Software, Hardware, and Tools :

• Software

• Remote Automation

• CCDAutoPilot4• CCD Commander• ACP• Write your own

Software, Hardware, and Tools :

• Software

• Remote Control

• UltraVNC• Radmin• Remote Desktop• PC Anywhere

Software, Hardware, and Tools :

• Hardware

• Remote Power Control

• Baytech• Http://www.baytech.net/products/rpcseries.shtml• RPC3DE-15

• Web Power Switch• Http://www.webpowerswitch.com• Web Power Switch II

Software, Hardware, and Tools :

• Hardware

• UPS

• APC• Http://www.apc.com• APC Smart-UPS 3000VA USB & Serial 120V

Software, Hardware, and Tools :

• Hardware

• Remote Control Relays

• Web Relays• Http://www.controlbyweb.com• WebRelay & WebRelay Dual

• Web Cam

• Toshiba• Http://www.toshibasecurity.com• IK-WB15A

Software, Hardware, and Tools :

• Hardware

• Weather Monitoring

• Boltwood Cloud Sensor• Http://www.cyanogen.com/cloud_main.php• Boltwood II

• Davis Weather Station• Http://www.davisnet.com• Vantage Pro2

Software, Hardware, and Tools :

• Tools

• CCD Navigator 2• Http://www.CCDWare.com

• AutoMapper II• Http://www.newastro.com/downloads/automap2/default.htm

• Filezilla – FTP Server• Http://filezilla-project.org

Remote Setups and Protection Review:

• Adequate Power and good backup Power

• Remote Power control for all devices

• Good/Fast network connection

• Good reliable roof controller w/overrides

• Weather monitor – i.e.: Boltwood II or equivalent

Questions ?