remote imaging versus telescope hugging · remote imaging versus telescope hugging experiences of a...
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Remote Imaging versus Telescope Hugging
Experiences of a Southern Hemisphere
Astrophotographer
CEDIC – Linz – March 19th 2011
Daniel Verschatse – Santiago - Chile
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Topics
Why ? Reasons to “go remote”
Who ?
Where ? Site selection parameters
How ?
Pros Remote is better
Cons Remote imaging sucks....
Tips ... learned the hard way
Wrap-up Summary and thoughts
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What we shall talk about
The pro and cons of high quality astronomical deep sky image acquisition through the use of a high end equipment setup, which is
either remotely controlled or operated hands-on.
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What we shall not talk about
Planetary imaging, supernova search, photometry, spectroscopy, etc..
Short term use of free or rented remote installations (Slooh, Skynet, Tzec Maun, etc)
Processing of images taken at remote sites
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Current situation
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Current situation - II
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Current situation - III
More imagers stay close to home, remote imaging growth stalled
Use of remote controlled facilities, via the Internet, remained constant at 20%
The number of permanent observatories dropped 2% from the 2009 survey
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Why going remote ?
Because your wife doesn't want to live where your telescope should!
Adverse local conditions: weather, location constraints, darkness, seeing, time constraints,...
Of course the real advantage is subarc sec seeing and mag 22 skies which nearly all of us do not have in our backyard
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Darkness
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Seeing
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Seeing - II
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Why ?
Access to the southern hemisphere
46 out of 107 Messier objects
58 out of 109 Caldwell objects
152 out of 152 Bennett Catalog objects
Center of the Milky Way
Magellanic Clouds
Three best globular clusters
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Tarantula
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SMC & NGC 104SMC + 47 Tuc
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NGC 253NGC 253
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NGC 1313
NGC 1313
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OmegaCen
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Why staying hands-on ?
if your back yard or nearby site has mag 20 skies and regular subarc sec seeing then by all means image there rather than remotely
if being under the stars, alone or in company, is therapy for you
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Antilhue site
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Frisco 1
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Frisco 2
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M 80
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NGC 7009 – Saturn neb
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Antennae
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Who ?
Well, YOU of course
You can go it alone, but consider a team of 2-4 imagers:
knowing all about the network, optics, mount , software, site, etc is a BIG job – it’s nice to share the load.
... and it’s cheaper !
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Who not ? Remote is not for you if:
you cannot tolerate failed runs and technical problems. You will miss many nights and often because of technical issues - that is the price for sub arc sec seeing.
you are not prepared to spend time on site - or pay $$$ to someone who will.
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Where ? Requirements
Location, location, location !
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Omega Astrotent
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Tololo Condor
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Where ? Requirements
Seeing -> laminar air flow
Sky darkness & light pollution
Transparency -> high and dry
Clear nights / year
Access -> road, regulations, ...
Connectivity, technology
Security
Comfort
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Where ?
Professional observatories ?
impossible , .... almost
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Paranal entrance
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Paranal VLTs
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ESO hotel - out
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ESO hotel - in
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CTIO – PROMPT site
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CTIO – PROMPT 2
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CTIO – Chase Dome
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CTIO - Chase
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Where ?
Rent space and/or equipment at guest observatories (NM Skies, ...)
Build your own observatory
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Astrofarm Site 1Astrofarm 1
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Astrofarm 2
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How ?
Organize good on-site support, #1 priority
Good weather gear: you cannot stick your head out the window to check for clouds, etc
Need reliable equipment: don't skimp and get cheap cables, hubs, etc
Install monitoring equipment - webcam, limit switches, etc
Quantity of images will be less, but quality will be high because of the site
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Helix
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How ?
Always consider redundancy
Remote imaging is less like driving to the store for a bottle of milk and more like driving the Mars Rover -lots can and will go wrong.
Think twice and click once!
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Keyhole
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Advantages of remote imaging
Higher image quality.... eventually
Travel time & expenses ?
Less sleep deprivation
Less need for clothing, camping gear,..
More comfort
More family time
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Tips ..... learned the hard way
You need good onsite support.
Think twice and click once!
Pay more attention to basics to maximize site conditions (great seeing)
1. Mirror cooling
2. Air Mass of target while imaging
3. Adjustment of guide parameters
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M 104
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Tips ..... learned the hard way - II
Protect your optics
Have a complete notebook of with pictures of your optical train and network schematic
Also flow sheets on how to reboot hubs, computer etc.
Anytime you have a problem document it and the problem fix
Have back up parts which are likely to fail in the remote observatory
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Things that went wrong
CTIO computer people changed weather interface page
Inappropriate dome closures
TCC connections were wrong
Mount: fusing of Alt bolt, belts breaking
Software issues with southern hemisphere
USB cable failure, "dead" ST402
Guider: aligning FOVI or even focusing
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NGC 613
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Things that went wrong - II
Paint chips from primary baffle
Shutter stuck open
Dust, dew & ice !
Rodents, birds & insects
and, and,...
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NGC 2997
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Summary
Remote imaging can deliver same or higher quality images.
Be prepared for learning curve, elevated cost and frustrations.
Use high quality gear, reliable software & redundant safety
Be methodical, use check lists
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NGC 2170
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Thoughts
If your astrophotography activity includes looking up, enjoying the night sky, feeling small and trying to take home a tiny testimony of the Universe, then remote imaging may not be a rewarding experience.
Instead, consider going on a periodic astrophotography vacation at a well equipped, excellent site.
Sometimes less is more.
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Maksutov-AconcaguaMaksutov & Aconcagua
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Parinacota – Iglesia
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Parinacota – Vicunas
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Cueca
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NGC 6744
Thank you !
NGC 6744