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